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noodle up

C1 informal separable transitive

In simple words

To think of or work out an idea, often in a relaxed or playful way.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

To casually think up or improvise an idea, plan, or creative piece.

"She noodled up a little melody on the piano while waiting for inspiration."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Informal and uncommon. 'Noodle' as a verb (to think or brainstorm) is itself informal American English. 'Noodle up' adds the sense of generating or producing an idea. More likely encountered in casual American speech or writing. Learners should use 'think up' or 'come up with' instead.

Commonly used with

idea solution plan tune melody

Forms

Base

noodle up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

noodles up

he/she/it

Past simple

noodled up

yesterday

Past participle

noodled up

have + pp

-ing form

noodling up

continuous

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Synonyms

think up come up with dream up work out cook up

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