fuel up
A2 informal inseparable both
In simple words
To put fuel in a car or plane, or to eat a good meal before doing something active.
Literal meaning: To add fuel upward into a vehicle's tank — the 'up' suggests completing the action fully.
Meanings
1 A2 informal
To add fuel to a vehicle, aircraft, or other machine until it has enough to operate.
"We should fuel up before we hit the motorway — there are no petrol stations for fifty miles."
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2
idiomatic
informal
To eat or drink sufficiently to have energy for physical activity or a demanding task.
"Make sure you fuel up properly before the marathon — you'll need every calorie."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in both the literal vehicle sense and the informal metaphorical sense of eating for energy. The metaphorical use ('fuel up before the game') is very common in sports contexts. Widely used across American and British English.
Commonly used with
car plane before the race at the station athletes body
Forms
Base
fuel up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fuels up
he/she/it
Past simple
fueled up
yesterday
Past participle
fueled up
have + pp
-ing form
fueling up
continuous
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Synonyms
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