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fat up

C1 informal separable both
In simple words

To get fatter or make something bigger. Not a standard expression — most people say 'fatten up.'

Literal meaning: To make fat — transparent and literal.

Meanings

1 C1 informal

To gain weight or cause something to become larger or heavier.

"The bears fat up on berries and fish before hibernation begins."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 informal

(Cooking, informal) To add fat or richness to a dish to improve its flavour or texture.

"Fat up the sauce with a spoonful of butter just before serving."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Non-standard and uncommon. Heard occasionally in regional or dialectal speech. ESL learners should use 'fatten up' instead. May also appear in cooking contexts meaning to add fat or richness to a dish.

Commonly used with

dish sauce livestock recipe winter

Forms

Base
fat up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fats up
he/she/it
Past simple
fated up
yesterday
Past participle
fated up
have + pp
-ing form
fating up
continuous

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Synonyms

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