heap up
B2 neutral separable both
In simple words
To put lots of things together in a big messy pile.
Literal meaning: To heap (pile loosely) things upward into a mound.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To gather or put things together into a large, untidy mound or pile.
"The children heaped up all the autumn leaves into a giant pile before jumping in."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To accumulate something in large quantities, often to an excessive or problematic degree.
"He had heaped up so many unpaid bills that he didn't know where to start."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Can be used literally (heaping sand or leaves) or figuratively (heaping up problems or debt). The figurative use suggests an accumulation that becomes unwieldy or problematic. Less common than 'pile up' in everyday speech.
Commonly used with
snow leaves debt problems rubbish food
Forms
Base
heap up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
heaps up
he/she/it
Past simple
heaped up
yesterday
Past participle
heaped up
have + pp
-ing form
heaping up
continuous
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