gulp up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To take in large mouthfuls of air or liquid in a gasping, gulping way.
Literal meaning: To gulp something upward — drawing liquid or air up into the mouth.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
To draw in large mouthfuls of air or liquid in a gasping or urgent way.
"She broke the surface of the water and gulped up as much air as her lungs could hold."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
This form is not widely documented and is much less common than 'gulp down.' It may appear in creative or literary writing to describe gasping for air. Learners should default to 'gulp down' in most situations.
Commonly used with
air breath water
Forms
Base
gulp up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gulps up
he/she/it
Past simple
gulped up
yesterday
Past participle
gulped up
have + pp
-ing form
gulping up
continuous
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Synonyms
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