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fill up

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To put enough in something so it's totally full.

Literal meaning: To fill something until it reaches the top.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To make a container or space completely full by adding something.

"I need to fill up the car before we start the long drive."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To become completely full, often said of a space filling with people.

"The stadium filled up quickly once the gates opened."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To eat or drink until one feels full and satisfied.

"Fill up on pasta before the race — you'll need the energy."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Extremely common in everyday contexts: filling up a car with petrol, filling up a glass, or a room filling up with people. When referring to eating, it means to eat until you are no longer hungry. The object can be inserted ('fill the tank up') or placed after the particle ('fill up the tank').

Commonly used with

tank glass room stomach bucket reservoir

Forms

Base
fill up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fills up
he/she/it
Past simple
filled up
yesterday
Past participle
filled up
have + pp
-ing form
filling up
continuous

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