pack on

B1 informal separable transitive

In simple words

Gain a lot of weight or muscle quickly.

Literal meaning: To pack something onto a surface — the idiomatic meaning maps onto adding mass to a body.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

common

To gain a significant amount of weight or body fat, often quickly.

"He packed on ten kilos over the winter and decided it was time to join a gym."

Grammar: separable

2 B1 idiomatic informal

common

To deliberately build up muscle mass through training and diet.

"The actor packed on 15 pounds of muscle in just six months to prepare for the superhero role."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Almost always used with 'pounds', 'weight', 'muscle', or 'kilos'. Common in fitness and diet contexts. Used in both British and American English.

pounds weight muscle kilos mass fat

Base

pack on

I/you/we/they

3rd person

packs on

he/she/it

Past simple

packed on

yesterday

Past participle

packed on

have + pp

-ing form

packing on

continuous

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