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feed up

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To give someone lots of food to make them stronger or healthier.

Literal meaning: To feed (give food to) someone until they are restored — 'up' suggests returning to a better state.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To give a person or animal more food than usual to restore health or increase weight.

"After his long illness, the nurses worked to feed him up before he could be discharged."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To fatten livestock intentionally by providing extra feed.

"They fed up the lambs on grain for the last few weeks before the show."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Common in British English, especially used by parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Often used when someone is recovering from illness or appears underweight. Very similar to 'fatten up' but with more emphasis on nourishment than weight gain.

Commonly used with

patient children convalescent animals sick thin

Forms

Base
feed up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
feeds up
he/she/it
Past simple
feeded up
yesterday
Past participle
feeded up
have + pp
-ing form
feeding up
continuous

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Synonyms

fatten up nourish build up strengthen nurse back to health

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