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offer up

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To give or suggest something for others to consider or accept.

Literal meaning: To hold something up as an offering — from the practice of offering items upward to a deity.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To present something, such as an idea, explanation, or suggestion, for consideration.

"The scientist offered up a new theory to explain the unusual data."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic formal

To give or sacrifice something, often in a religious or ceremonial context.

"The priest offered up a prayer for the victims of the disaster."

""We offer up our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.""

— Paraphrase of the Declaration of Independence (1776); this phrasing echoes the original pledge by the Founding Fathers
Grammar: separable
3 B1 neutral

To willingly provide something when asked or as a contribution.

"Nobody offered up any volunteers when the manager asked for help with the weekend shift."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Has both religious connotations (offering a sacrifice) and general everyday use (offering a suggestion). The religious sense is the older meaning. Common in formal speeches and writing.

Commonly used with

prayer sacrifice explanation solution apology idea opinion

Forms

Base
offer up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
offers up
he/she/it
Past simple
offered up
yesterday
Past participle
offered up
have + pp
-ing form
offering up
continuous

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