land up
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To end up somewhere or in some situation, often without planning it.
Literal meaning: To fly or fall and land in an upward-resolving destination — implies arriving at a final resting point.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To reach or find oneself in a particular place or situation, usually without planning or as an unexpected result.
"We took a wrong turn and somehow landed up in a tiny village with no petrol station."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To end up in a bad situation as a consequence of one's actions.
"If you keep spending like that, you'll land up in serious debt."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in British and Australian English. Frequently followed by 'in' + place or situation ('land up in hospital', 'land up doing something'). Very similar to 'end up' but slightly less formal and more common in speech.
Commonly used with
hospital prison trouble debt alone homeless
Forms
Base
land up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lands up
he/she/it
Past simple
landed up
yesterday
Past participle
landed up
have + pp
-ing form
landing up
continuous
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