verb + up

To behave badly or in a difficult way, or (of a machine or body part) to stop working properly.

To calculate a total, or figuratively, to seem logical or consistent.

To result in a particular total or to represent a particular meaning or significance.

To advance to an older age category, or (in fiction/games) to represent a character as older.

To inflate a tyre, ball, or other object by adding air to it.

To adopt a more dominant, assertive, or confident manner, especially in social or competitive situations.

To stock up on ammunition, or figuratively to gather arguments, facts, or resources in preparation for a confrontation.

To increase the intensity, energy, volume, or strength of something.

To respond promptly and honestly when questioned or challenged, especially in a direct or assertive way.

To put in your initial stake in a gambling game, or to pay or contribute money, especially when required to participate in something.

To flatter or try to impress someone in authority, especially a teacher or boss, in order to gain favour.

To suddenly become angry or agitated, or to cause someone to become angry.

To equip oneself or others with weapons, or to build up military or defensive capability.

To ruin or make a mess of something through incompetence or carelessness.

To make something look more artistic or decorative, often by adding visual design elements.

An investing strategy of buying more of an asset as its price rises, increasing the average purchase price.

To treat someone or something with excessive care, gentleness, or pampering.

To reverse a vehicle; to support or confirm someone's statement; to create a copy of data; or to form a blockage.

Caribbean English slang meaning to damage, harm, or ruin something or someone, or to make something worse.

To provide someone with or put on an identification badge, typically before an event or on starting a new role.

To put things into bags, especially for storage, transport, or sale.

To stop and detain someone by force or threat, or to corner someone for a conversation.

To put bait on a hook, trap, or area in preparation for fishing or hunting.

To bake a batch or supply of something, or to prepare baked goods for a specific occasion.

To compress and tie material such as hay, cotton, or waste into a compact bale using a machine or by hand.

To roll or scrunch something into a tight ball; or to confuse or confound a person or situation.

To add ballast (heavy material) to a ship, aircraft, or vehicle to improve its stability or balance.

(British, vulgar slang) To make a serious mess of something; to ruin or mismanage a task.

To damage something or someone through impact; in British slang, to imprison; used as an adjective meaning excellent.

To heap up into a mound or ridge; to cover a fire with fuel to keep it burning slowly; to accumulate.

To secure a door, window, or building by placing bars across it.

To prepare and cook food on a barbecue, often for a group.

To attack and injure someone physically; to damage something through hitting.

To temporarily sew fabric with long, loose stitches in preparation for permanent sewing.

To collect or organize items into groups or batches for processing or handling together.

A baseball call announcing that the next batter should come to the plate; broadly, a call to get ready for action.

To transport someone or something instantaneously using a fictional energy beam; also used humorously to mean to remove someone from an unpl

To remain strong, cheerful, or resilient in the face of difficulty, suffering, or grief.

To attack and injure someone by hitting them repeatedly.

To physically attack or harshly criticize someone, especially a weaker or easier target.

To make something stronger, larger, or more substantial.

To drink a lot of beer, especially before an event; to supply someone with beer.

British informal: to telephone someone.

To fail completely, especially of a business, or to move up close to something.

Chiefly British: to stop talking and be quiet, or to fasten one's seatbelt.

To increase the amount of a bet, or to encourage or pressure others to place higher bets.

To cause the price of something to increase by placing or encouraging progressively higher bids at an auction or in competition.

To praise, promote, or show respect and admiration for someone or something.

Slang: to roll a cannabis cigarette.

To wrap and secure something tightly, especially a wound, or to be deeply involved or connected with something.

To ruin or spoil something through incompetence or carelessness.

To darken one's face or skin with makeup or paint, historically associated with racist minstrel performance; considered deeply offensive.

To become suddenly pale, especially from shock or fear; a non-standard intensified variant of 'blanch.'

To increase volume dramatically; or to rise or move rapidly upward with great force.

Of a fire: to suddenly burn more intensely; figuratively, of anger or trouble: to burst out suddenly.

To process food or drink ingredients in a blender until they form a smooth, uniform mixture.

To explode or cause an explosion, to suddenly become very angry, or to enlarge something.

To cover windows, doors, or openings with wooden boards, usually to secure an empty or damaged building.

To rise or appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like an object bobbing to the surface of water.

To heat a liquid until it boils vigorously; or (figuratively) for a feeling or situation to intensify rapidly.

To spoil or ruin something through carelessness or incompetence.

To ruin or spoil something through stupidity or carelessness.

To strengthen, support, or increase someone's confidence, morale, or the effectiveness of something.

To study or review a subject intensively, especially in preparation for a test or event.

To enter into a romantic relationship with someone; to become someone's partner.

To make a stupid or embarrassing mistake.

To ruin, spoil, or make a mess of something, used in Southern US dialect.

To have all available reservations or appointments taken; fully reserved.

To start up a computer or electronic device so that it is ready to use.

To drink large amounts of alcohol, often at a party or social gathering; also a noun referring to such an occasion.

To adopt a confident, assertive, or entrepreneurial mindset; to take charge, improve one's situation, and present oneself with authority.

To carry out a task or job very badly, ruining the result through clumsiness or incompetence.

To keep feelings or emotions tightly controlled and hidden, rather than expressing them; also, to trap someone or something so they cannot e

Chiefly US Southern dialect: to become aggressive, defensive, or confrontational; to puff oneself up in anger.

To arrive or appear somewhere in a casual or confident manner.

To put things into boxes, especially when packing to move or store them.

To summon courage, strength, or resolve to face a difficult situation; to prepare yourself mentally.

To end a romantic relationship, dissolve a group, or separate something into pieces.

To raise a child, introduce a topic into conversation, or cause food to come back up from the stomach.

To cause someone to face or confront a difficulty, obstacle, or opponent.

To raise or improve something until it reaches a required or desired level or standard.

To become or cause to become more lively, quick, or energetic.

To react with obvious anger, irritation, or defensiveness, often shown in body language; or (of hair or fur) to stand up stiffly.

To cause or become involved in a heated quarrel, conflict, or disturbance.

To develop a deep, golden-brown tan on the skin, or to give something a bronze colour or finish.

To sweep or clean an area using a broom.

To become or make something browned or golden in colour, typically through cooking.

To cover someone or something with bruises, or to become badly bruised.

To revise or practise a skill or area of knowledge in order to regain or improve your ability in it.

To move close to someone or something, lightly touching or almost touching them as you pass or stand near.

To rise to the surface or emerge gradually, used for liquids, emotions, sounds, or ideas.

To become more cheerful, brave, or energetic; or to make someone else feel this way.

To gather courage and confront someone or something difficult or intimidating.

To fasten your seatbelt; also used figuratively to mean prepare yourself for something difficult or exciting.

In horticulture, to propagate a plant by inserting a bud from one plant into the stem or rootstock of another; also, for a plant to form bud

To form a pair with someone, either for safety, social, or practical reasons.

To move along a seat or bench to make room for another person.

To polish something to make it shine, or to develop a noticeably muscular physique.

To add a protective layer, margin, or cushion around something to protect it from impact or fluctuation.

To introduce bugs or errors into a software program or system.

To ruin or spoil something by making a mistake (British vulgar).

To gradually increase, accumulate, or strengthen something over time.

To gain muscle mass and increase body weight through exercise and diet.

To polish military kit, equipment, or shoes to a high shine (British military slang).

To increase an amount, raise someone to a higher rank, or upgrade someone to a better category.

Chiefly British informal: to burst into laughter; also, to break apart suddenly.

To damage or destroy something; to end a romantic relationship or friendship, often after a serious argument; to break up a fight or gatheri

To act or appear more stereotypically masculine; to make something look tougher or more rugged.

To be directly touching or adjacent to something; to encounter an obstacle or boundary.

To flatter or praise someone excessively in order to get something from them.

To fasten the buttons on a garment; also (informal) to stop talking or keep something secret.

To purchase all or a large amount of something that is available, often to gain control or prevent others from having it.

To contact someone on an upper floor via intercom, or to make someone feel energetic and excited.

To connect equipment, a building, or a system using cables.

British slang: to ruin or spoil something by doing it badly or making a mistake.

A very informal, clipped form of 'caffeine up': to drink coffee or energy drinks to boost alertness.

To drink a large amount of coffee or other caffeinated beverages to increase energy and alertness.

To become coated with or covered in a thick, hardened layer of a substance.

To telephone someone, to conscript someone for military service, or to retrieve stored data or memories.

To apply camouflage paint or clothing to oneself or others in order to blend into a natural environment.

To put on camouflage paint or clothing so as to blend into a natural or tactical environment.

To put a cap or cover on something, or (in typography) to convert text to capital letters.

To eat a large amount of carbohydrate-rich foods before an athletic event or intense physical activity in order to maximize energy stores.

To transport something to a higher level or floor by physically carrying it.

To reach the same level or position as someone or something that was ahead.

To achieve or record something, often a success, score, or total.

To attribute something, especially a failure or difficulty, to a particular cause.

To chew something up; to mash with the teeth.

To shift to a higher gear when driving; or to vary or alter something to make it different.

To blacken or partially burn something so that its surface becomes charred.

To fill a battery with electrical power; or to make someone feel excited and full of energy.

To win someone over or impress them through the use of personal charm.

To contact someone to remind them to do something they have not yet done, or to find out about progress.

To talk to someone in a friendly, flattering way, usually because you are romantically or sexually attracted to them.

To chew something up; to chew noisily or thoroughly.

To verify facts or information, or to conduct a medical examination.

To investigate or monitor someone or something to ensure they are behaving correctly or everything is in order.

To behave in a bold, impudent, or impertinent manner.

To behave impudently or impertinently toward a specific person, especially someone in authority.

To become happier, or to make someone else feel happier after they have been sad or worried.

To make something excessively sentimental, kitschy, or clichéd; to add tacky or over-the-top elements.

An instruction to raise the chest and stand or sit with good posture, used in exercise, coaching, or encouragement.

To chew food thoroughly; to destroy, damage, or consume something by or as if by chewing.

To cut something into many smaller pieces

To gain weight, especially in a soft or chubby way (informal, often humorous)

To vomit, or (informally) to quit or abandon something

To become friendly with someone; to start spending time with someone as a friend

To disturb and mix up a surface or substance violently, or to provoke strong unpleasant feelings

To form or gather into a circle

Of the sky: to become overcast and cloudy; or of milk: to curdle and thicken (dialectal, chiefly American Southern and rural)

To suddenly stop talking and refuse to speak, especially when asked questions

To imprison or confine someone suddenly; an old-fashioned expression.

To make something or someone more elegant, sophisticated, or impressive.

To cover, seal, or treat something with clay.

To make a place clean and tidy after a mess; also to make a large profit, or to reform one's behavior.

To clean the mess left behind by another person or animal.

To make a place tidy; or to resolve a misunderstanding or problem; or (of weather or illness) to improve.

A nautical term meaning to haul up the lower corners of a sail toward the yard.

To ascend to a higher position by using your body; or to rise in status or rank.

To accumulate or reach a particular total of something, such as miles, hours, or points.

To block something gradually with an accumulation of material, making it unable to flow or function properly.

To close a building, shop, or wound completely; to move closer together; or to become uncommunicative.

Of the sky: to become covered with clouds; also of a surface: to become misty or foggy.

To become well-informed and knowledgeable about something; or to inform someone thoroughly about a subject.

To form or gather into a dense mass or clump; or to cause things to stick together into lumps.

To fill a space with too many unnecessary or untidy objects, making it difficult to use.

To intensively train or develop someone's skills, especially through personal coaching.

To put on a coat, especially in preparation for cold weather.

Australian slang for becoming close friends or pairing up with someone.

A less common variant of 'cobble together'; to assemble something quickly and imperfectly.

British informal: to make a serious mistake or ruin something through incompetence.

A dialectal British variant meaning to ruin or spoil something; to make a mess of a situation.

To write the computer code for a program, feature, or algorithm.

Informal, mainly North American: to drink coffee, especially to become alert or energised.

To wind or twist something into a series of loops, or (of a creature or object) to arrange itself in a spiral shape.

To turn up or raise the collar of a jacket or coat, typically for warmth or as a fashion statement.

To gather together a number of items that are spread around and bring them to one place.

American English: (of a person) to become flushed or red in the face, typically from embarrassment or shyness; also to add colour to somethi

British English: to blush or go red in the face, typically from embarrassment or shyness.

To arise, appear, or be mentioned; also to approach or to occur unexpectedly.

To encounter an obstacle, problem, or opponent that must be dealt with.

To advance from a disadvantaged or trailing position and catch up with or overtake others.

To approach someone or something, or to reach the required standard or level.

To produce, think of, or find something needed, such as an idea, plan, answer, or money.

To create a vivid image or feeling in the mind, or to produce something as if by magic.

To join or link things together, especially electrically or mechanically, to form a complete system.

To prepare a meal, or to invent a plan, excuse, or story — often one that is clever, cunning, or dishonest.

To confine a person or animal in a small or restricted space, often causing frustration or restlessness.

To seal something with a cork or stopper; figuratively, to suppress emotions, stop someone speaking, or keep something bottled up inside.

Not a widely established standard phrasal verb. May appear in niche or regional contexts meaning to form corners, to position at a corner, o

To calculate or estimate the total cost of something, particularly a project, job, or set of materials.

To make oneself warm and comfortable, typically by curling up or moving close to something or someone.

To deliberately try to become friendly or close to someone, especially a powerful or influential person, usually for personal advantage.

An extremely rare or dialectal variant, occasionally used to mean expressing something in a particular way or providing something reluctantl

To produce money or information reluctantly, or to expel something from the throat by coughing.

To count a collection of things to find the total.

To form a romantic partnership, or to join two things together.

To conceal something, especially wrongdoing or mistakes, or to place something over an object to hide it.

To show toughness and perseverance in the face of difficulty; to stop complaining and deal with a hard situation.

To settle into a warm, comfortable position, or to make oneself at home somewhere.

To try to get close to someone, often in a flattering or self-serving way, or to become politically or socially aligned with someone.

To burst out laughing, to cause someone to laugh, or to suffer a mental or emotional collapse.

To experience a sudden, painful muscle contraction, usually during or after physical activity.

To increase the volume, speed, or intensity of something dramatically, or to start up a machine or process.

To ruin or spoil something through poor performance or careless action.

To make someone or something extremely excited, wild, or chaotic; to act in a wild or uncontrolled way.

To apply cream, lotion, or moisturiser generously to the skin.

To laugh so hard that you bend over or double up; or to cause someone to laugh uncontrollably. Primarily British English.

To increase or rise gradually and slowly, often without being immediately noticed; or to approach someone quietly.

To approach someone or something slowly and quietly so as not to be noticed; or for something to happen so gradually that you are not aware

To assemble or join a crew for a specific project, vessel, or task.

A deeply offensive and derogatory slang expression — included here only to warn learners. It means to disable or cripple someone or somethin

To become ill, injured, or broken; to cause someone to break down physically or mentally.

To appear or happen unexpectedly, especially a problem or topic that needs attention.

To confuse, deceive, or betray someone; to act in a way contrary to what was expected or agreed.

A rare or regional variant meaning to fill a space by gathering in large numbers; to press upward in a crowd.

An archaic, dialectal, or rare variant of 'crumb up'; to coat with crumbs, or to crowd/cram together.

To coat food with breadcrumbs; or to become covered with or fill with crumbs.

To break or cause to break completely into small dry fragments or crumbs.

To crush something flexible, such as paper or fabric, into an irregular, wrinkled shape; or for a person to collapse or fall.

To praise or promote something enthusiastically, especially in public; to extol the virtues of something.

To sit or lie very close to someone, wrapping your arms around them for warmth, comfort, or affection.

To prepare audio, video, or other media so it is ready to play from a specific point.

To fold or turn up the cuff of a sleeve or trouser leg.

To fully harden or solidify through a curing process, as in adhesives, concrete, or rubber.

To bring your body into a rounded, compact position, or to become bent and shriveled.

To cut something into small pieces; to upset or distress someone emotionally; to behave in a silly or mischievous way.

To absorb or collect a small amount of liquid from a surface using gentle dabbing motions.

To block or restrain the flow of water (or figuratively, of emotions) by creating a barrier.

To dress oneself or something else up in a showy, elaborate, or flamboyant style.

To greet someone with a special handshake, fist bump, or combination of physical greeting gestures.

Informal/dialectal variant of 'darken up': to become dark, especially of the sky or a space.

To become noticeably darker, especially of the sky, a colour, or a complexion — often suggesting a rapid or visible change.

To update something — especially a record, document, or system — to make it current or reflect the latest information.

To decorate or dress someone or something up in an impressive or festive way; a variant of 'deck out'.

To hand someone or something over to an authority, especially formally or under compulsion.

To formally surrender or present someone or something to a specific person or authority.

To increase the intensity, level, or degree of something, or (historically) to call someone by telephone.

To cut food into small, roughly equal cube-shaped pieces.

To ruin or spoil something through incompetence or carelessness (vulgar slang).

To smarten oneself or something up; to make neat and tidy (dated British dialect).

To remove something from the ground by digging; or to discover hidden or forgotten information.

To dress smartly or tidy oneself up (British regional dialect, chiefly Northern English).

To cause minor dents, scratches, or superficial damage to something, especially a vehicle.

To make something or someone dirty, or to become dirty.

To serve food or present something ready for use or consumption.

To separate something into parts and distribute those parts among people or groups.

To divide and share something among a group of people, usually informally.

Non-standard spelling of 'divvy up'; to divide and share something informally among a group.

To fasten clothing or packaging, or to renovate and redecorate a building.

To alter, falsify, or improve something, often in a deceptive or unofficial way.

To produce or arrange something hastily and often in a makeshift or deceptive way. (British/Australian slang)

To make oneself or someone else look attractive by dressing up smartly and applying make-up.

To raise money, increase funding, or contribute dollars to something. (Informal, rare)

A very rare or non-standard variant possibly meaning to dress up or decorate. Not a recognized standard English phrasal verb.

To give or take a large amount of drugs, whether medicinal or illicit.

To share a space with someone, to bend in pain or laughter, or to increase something twofold.

To make someone or something look old-fashioned, dull, or unfashionable.

To produce a preliminary written version of a document.

To move from detailed, granular data to a higher-level summary or aggregated view in data analysis.

To finish all of a drink, or to urge someone to finish their drink.

To arrive at a place in a vehicle, or to cause prices, costs, or figures to increase.

To generate or obtain something, especially support, business, or enthusiasm, through persistent effort.

To stop flowing or being available, to become completely dry, or to stop speaking suddenly.

In British prison slang, to lock a cell door; also used in audio contexts to mean mixing or dubbing a recording.

To dress oneself or another person up in smart, fancy, or flashy clothes.

(British informal) To attack and physically beat someone up.

An extremely rare and non-standard expression meaning to raise one's fists ready to fight.

To stop talking and refuse to say anything, or to create a dummy or mock-up of something.

A minor fight, quarrel, or confrontation between people.

To build or reinforce a dyke in order to contain or redirect water.

In golf slang, to score or improve one's score to eagle level on a hole.

To pile soil up around the base of a plant to protect it or encourage growth.

To relax one's effort or become less harsh, demanding, or intense.

To consume all of something, or to use up resources quickly; also used to encourage someone to finish their food.

To increase or move upward slowly and gradually, often in small increments.

A euphemism for 'f*** up' — to make a serious mistake or ruin something.

To eventually reach a place, situation, or condition, especially one that was not planned or expected.

A non-standard or redundant phrase sometimes used to mean making something bigger, particularly an image.

To make two sides, amounts, or scores equal, especially after one has been at a disadvantage.

To look at someone or something in an appraising, desiring, or flirtatious way.

Positioned with the face, front, or surface turned upward; also used informally to mean to be honest or confront something.

To accept and deal bravely with a difficult, unpleasant, or frightening reality rather than avoiding it.

The phenomenon of advancing in one's career or gaining more responsibility despite performing poorly or failing, often through connections o

For weather to improve and become clear, dry, and pleasant after being overcast, rainy, or unsettled.

To fabricate, forge, or put together something false in order to deceive.

To admit or confess to something, especially something you have done wrong or have been trying to hide.

To arrive somewhere, often unexpectedly or after a long or indirect journey; or (older) to vomit.

Not an established standard phrasal verb in English. Possibly encountered as a non-standard or regional usage.

Not an established standard phrasal verb in modern English. Occasionally used in archaic or literary contexts to mean struggling upward agai

To calculate or total a set of numbers or costs.

To make a container or space completely full, or to become completely full.

To gradually reach higher levels of an organisation or society, said of information, concerns, or trends originating at a lower level.

To complete what remains of a task or activity, or to find oneself in a particular situation at the end.

To start an engine, device, or fire with energy; or to fill someone with enthusiasm, anger, or excitement.

To make something more definite, solid, or physically firmer.

To bring something up from below, as if pulling it from water; a rarer variant of 'fish out'.

To equip or furnish something; or, in British slang, to falsely incriminate someone.

To repair or renovate something; to arrange or organize something for someone; or to arrange for two people to meet romantically.

To draw attention to something, especially a problem, issue, or concern, so that it can be dealt with.

For a fire or flames to suddenly become more intense and larger.

For fire to suddenly become more intense; for a feeling, illness, or conflict to suddenly worsen or re-emerge.

To shake or pat something soft in order to make it fuller, softer, or more comfortable.

To achieve something positive accidentally or through unintended chance.

To move rapidly upward through the air; or to travel by air to a place.

To produce or fill with foam, bubbles, or froth.

To become covered in a thin layer of condensation or mist that obscures visibility.

To fold something into a smaller compact shape; or of a business, to collapse and close.

To make a subsequent contact or take an additional action after an initial one.

To take further action on a specific matter that was previously started or mentioned.

To ruin or spoil something by making a foolish mistake.

To calculate and write the total of a column of numbers; to add up a bill or account.

To take up a defended position and prepare to resist; to fortify a place.

To raise or care for a child (or animal) through the foster system until they are grown.

To ruin, spoil, or make a serious mess of something through mistakes or incompetence.

To incriminate an innocent person by fabricating evidence; or to assemble a physical frame structure.

To develop freckles, especially from sun exposure.

To make time, space, money, or resources available by removing what was previously using them.

To suddenly become unable to move, speak, or function — either from cold, fear, or a technical malfunction.

An informal, regional variant of 'freshen up' — to quickly wash and improve one's appearance.

To quickly wash and make yourself or something look and feel cleaner and more presentable.

To ruin or spoil something through incompetence or carelessness.

Variant spelling of 'frig up': to ruin or spoil something through careless or incompetent action.

An informal, less common variant of 'fritz out': for something to malfunction or go wrong.

For hair to become frizzy, curly, or unmanageably wavy, especially in humid conditions.

To appear or present yourself to face a difficult situation, challenge, or responsibility; to show up when required.

For a surface to become covered with frost or a thin layer of ice.

To produce or become covered in froth or foam.

For a plant or tree to begin producing fruit.

To cook food by frying it; also used as a noun to describe a traditional British cooked breakfast of fried foods.

Vulgar slang meaning to make a serious mistake, ruin something, or cause psychological damage to a person.

To fill a vehicle with fuel, or to eat and drink enough to have energy for an activity.

Informal, somewhat colloquial expression meaning to make something more enjoyable, entertaining, or lighthearted.

Informal expression meaning to give something a funky, rhythmic, or urban quality, especially in music or style.

To become coated with a furry or scaly deposit, especially the inside of a kettle, pipe, or boiler due to mineral build-up from hard water.

To clean, polish, or restore something old or worn to a better condition; to renovate or smarten up.

To rise from bed or a seated position, or to reach a particular level.

To be involved in an activity, especially one that is secret, mischievous, or surprising.

To create, fabricate, or artificially generate something, especially enthusiasm, support, or a story.

To make something or someone more lively, energetic, or enthusiastic.

To decorate something with excessive or showy ornamentation, often in a cheap or tasteless way.

To stop trying at something, to abandon a habit or activity, or to surrender someone or something.

To make oneself or something look more glamorous and attractive through clothing, makeup, or decoration.

To apply a glaze or shiny coating to something, such as pottery, pastry, or windows.

To put on gloves in preparation for a task, fight, or procedure.

To undergo a striking improvement in appearance, confidence, or overall life quality, usually over time.

To grind or crush something violently with the teeth; an extremely rare and non-standard phrasal verb.

To move to a higher position, for a price or level to increase, for a building to be constructed, or for something to catch fire.

To compete directly with or face as an opponent, especially someone or something considered difficult to beat.

To enter a competition, apply for a position, or be considered for an award or promotion.

To block or clog something with a sticky or phlegm-like substance.

To eat something quickly and greedily; or to consume, absorb, or use up resources rapidly.

To make a mistake or do something incorrectly.

To search for and retrieve information using Google or another internet search engine.

To cover, coat, or clog something with a thick, sticky, or messy substance.

To stimulate, energise, or increase something, especially to boost its performance or excitement.

To dress oneself in goth-style clothing and makeup, typically for a particular event or occasion.

To cover a surface with graffiti; used within graffiti and street art subculture.

To add a grainy texture to a photograph or digital image; or for grain crops to develop mature seeds.

To inform on someone to the police or another authority; a British slang synonym of 'grass on'.

To apply grease, oil, or a lubricant to something or someone; figuratively, to bribe or use money to smooth the way.

To become greener — either literally (plants sprouting) or figuratively (becoming more environmentally friendly).

To cook food on a grill, typically for a gathering or meal.

To reduce something to small pieces or powder by grinding.

To grab or seize someone or something firmly; used in informal or street slang contexts.

To calculate the gross (pre-tax or pre-deduction) amount from a net figure by adding back taxes or other deductions.

To develop from a child into an adult; also used to tell someone to behave more maturely.

To dig up and clear plants, roots, or stumps from the ground; also informally, food or a meal.

To inhale or draw in air, liquid, or breath in large, gulping mouthfuls — a non-standard or regional variant of 'gulp down'.

To cause a mechanism, plan, or process to stop working properly by clogging it or making it inefficient.

To make something sticky, clogged, or inefficient with a gummy substance — a variant of 'gum up'.

To arm oneself or others with guns; also to accelerate an engine by increasing its throttle.

To make something dirty, sticky, or blocked with a messy substance.

A variant form of 'gussy up': to dress or decorate something elaborately and showily.

To make someone, something, or oneself look more attractive, fancy, or impressive.

To summon courage and face a difficult or frightening situation; to find one's nerve.

To drink or consume something completely and greedily, leaving none behind.

To cut or divide something into pieces roughly; also to cough repeatedly or forcefully.

To become defensive, angry, or agitated, like an animal raising the hackles on the back of its neck.

For the hair on the body to stand up as a result of fear, cold, or intense emotion.

To put a halter on a horse or other animal to restrain or lead it.

A shorter variant of 'ham it up': to perform or behave in an exaggerated or overdramatic way.

To attach or fasten something to a surface by hammering in nails.

To pass something upward to someone above, or (slang) to inform against someone to authorities.

To manage, deal with, or perform effectively, especially in a difficult or competitive situation.

To end a phone call; to put something on a hook or hanger; or (figuratively) to stop doing an activity permanently.

Having very little money; in financial difficulty.

To become tougher, stronger, or more resilient, physically or emotionally.

To cause intense distress, anguish, or torment to someone's soul or feelings (literary/archaic).

To spoil, ruin, or do something badly; to make a mess of something.

To secretly devise or plot a plan, scheme, or idea, often with cunning or negative intent.

To raise something with effort; or to bring someone before an authority to answer for wrongdoing.

(British, informal) To bring someone before a court or authority to face charges.

To be in charge of or lead an organisation, team, or project.

For a wound, injury, or illness to recover and return to a healthy state.

To gather or accumulate things into a large, often disorganised pile.

To make something hotter, or to become hotter; also used figuratively when a situation becomes more intense or tense.

To raise or tilt the heel end of something upward; also a dog training command to bring the dog into the heel position.

To increase or intensify something; a redundant variant of 'heighten'.

To fold and sew the bottom edge of a garment to shorten it or neaten its finish.

To become nervous, flustered, or agitated; to lose one's composure.

An archaic or dialectal variant of 'hurry up'; to move or act more quickly.

Agitated, excited, or angry, especially in a disproportionate way.

To raise something such as prices or clothing sharply or by a large amount.

To pull clothing up with a quick movement; or to attach a trailer, caravan, or animal to a vehicle.

To support something physically, to delay, to endure, or to rob someone at gunpoint

To present someone or something as a model, ideal, or example for others to admire or follow

To subject something to scrutiny, comparison, or testing, or to withstand such scrutiny

To hide or take shelter in a place, often for safety, to avoid someone, or to be alone

To flatter someone excessively in order to win their favor or get something from them

To connect devices or systems; to meet and begin a relationship or casual encounter; or to provide someone with what they need

To become caught on or obsessively focused on something; to snag on a physical obstacle

To absorb, consume, or collect a large amount of something very quickly and thoroughly

To climb quickly onto a surface; or to stimulate or modify something for greater performance.

To vomit; to bring up the contents of the stomach.

To become more intense, exciting, dangerous, or competitive.

To find or locate someone or something through deliberate and sometimes effortful searching.

To move, act, or do something more quickly; also used as an imperative urging someone to go faster.

To use or manage resources carefully and sparingly so they last longer.

To keep something secret by preventing people from talking about it, or to tell someone to be quiet.

To dress or present oneself in a bold, provocative, or sexually suggestive manner.

To move quickly or encourage others to move quickly; also to gather or produce something with speed and energy.

To squeeze or crowd into a small or confined space; to huddle together.

To promote something with great enthusiasm and exaggeration, or to make someone very excited or agitated.

For a surface, machine, or mechanism to become blocked or coated with ice, often causing problems.

To rise or increase very slowly and gradually, or to move upward in tiny increments.

To apply or load ink onto a surface, printing press, stamp, or similar device in preparation for use.

To stir up someone's temper or fighting spirit; to make someone angry or combative.

A rare variant of 'jimmy up'; to force something open using a lever or tool.

To force something open or into place using a jimmy (a crowbar-like tool) or similar leverage.

Vulgar slang variant of 'jazz up': to make something more exciting, lively, or attractive.

To enlist in the armed forces, or to connect separate things or people together.

A non-standard or very informal variant meaning to fill something with jokes or to become more humorous.

To add power, energy, or excitement to something; to charge a device.

To put things or ideas into a disordered, confused state.

To rise suddenly by jumping; to increase sharply; to get up quickly from a seated position.

To maintain something at its current level, or to continue doing something without stopping.

To move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else, or to stay informed about ongoing developments.

To make someone nervously excited, tense, or highly stimulated; also to raise the musical key of something.

To cause trouble, raise a protest, or create a noisy disturbance; also to raise dust or debris by kicking.

A gymnastic move in which a person springs from lying on their back to a standing position in one quick motion.

A versatile phrasal verb with distinct British and North American meanings, including waking someone, making something quickly, or (informal

To raise one's fists in preparation for a fistfight; to prepare to fight.

To fasten something (typically shoes, boots, or a corset) by threading and tying a lace through a series of holes or hooks.

(Australian slang) To dress in an ostentatiously flashy, garish, or vulgar manner.

To find oneself in a place, situation, or condition as a result of a series of events, often unexpectedly.

To drink by using the tongue (of animals), or figuratively, to accept and enjoy something with great enthusiasm and without question.

To add too much fat, grease, or excessive material to something; figuratively, to make a text or speech excessively padded with unnecessary

To jump quickly to a standing or higher position, or to increase suddenly and dramatically.

An act of helping someone climb up physically, or an advantage or helpful start given to someone.

To grow or extend upward, or to make something taller or longer in the upward direction.

To become less intense, severe, or continuous; to stop or relax pressure.

To advance to a higher level of skill, quality, or status; originally from gaming, now widely used in everyday English.

Vulgar slang meaning to adopt lesbian behaviour or identity, or for women to engage in same-sex activity.

To remove or consume liquid or small substances from a surface by licking.

To raise something or someone to a higher position; also to make someone feel more hopeful or happier.

To illuminate, to make someone's face show happiness, or to begin smoking a cigarette.

To become less serious, tense, or strict; to relax and have a more positive attitude.

A dialectal/eye-dialect spelling variant of 'liquor up' — to drink alcohol, especially to get drunk.

To stretch and warm up the body to become more flexible before physical activity; also figuratively to prepare for any challenging task.

To stand or place things in a row; to organise or arrange people, events, or plans; to be scheduled or positioned.

To give one's support to a person, plan, or cause, especially in a group or organised way.

To connect or join together, whether physically, technologically, or in partnership.

To drink alcohol heavily; or to make someone drunk by giving them alcohol.

To secure a building by locking all doors and windows, or to put someone in jail.

British slang: to bribe someone with money, or to pay someone to secure their cooperation or silence.

To search for information in a reference source; to raise your eyes; or (of a situation) to improve.

To admire and respect someone, often wanting to be like them.

To fold and secure something (such as a curtain, rope, or hair) upward by forming a loop.

A non-standard or dialectal variant of 'loosen up' — to make something less tight or rigid, or to relax.

To become more relaxed, less tense, or less inhibited, physically or socially.

To apply lotion, moisturiser, or sunscreen to one's body.

To spoil, ruin, or make a mess of something through carelessness or incompetence.

To show intense physical affection toward someone; to smother someone with love.

To apply lubricant to something or someone to reduce friction or ease movement.

A sailing term meaning to steer a boat closer to the direction of the wind, causing the sails to flap or lose their fill.

To form into lumps or lumpy masses; or to cause something to become lumpy or uneven.

To make something more lush, rich, luxurious, or visually appealing; also (slang) to become drunk.

To act or present oneself in an exaggeratedly tough, masculine way; to perform or adopt stereotypically macho behavior.

To produce, create, or obtain something quickly and seemingly effortlessly, as if by magic.

To invent a story or excuse; to reconcile after a quarrel; to constitute or form a whole; or to apply cosmetics.

To compensate for something negative by providing something positive in return.

To flatter or behave in an ingratiating way toward someone, usually to gain favour; or to reach a certain amount or level.

To demonstrate courage, emotional strength, or responsibility, especially when facing difficulty; often used as an imperative.

To proactively manage the relationship with your own managers or superiors, anticipating their needs and communicating strategically to ensu

To increase the price of something, or to add written corrections and notes to a document.

To marry someone of higher social standing, or to join two things together so they correspond.

To crush something into a soft mass, or to combine two or more things — especially songs, styles, or ideas — into a creative new whole.

To put on a face mask, especially for health protection or safety.

To correspond, agree, or be equal to something else; or to pair people or things together based on compatible qualities.

To meet a required standard or level of quality; or literally to take the measurements of something.

To give someone (or take) the necessary medication before sending them out or facing a challenge.

To arrange to come together with someone in the same place, usually in an informal social context.

A rapid, sustained, and often irrational rise in the price of assets or a financial market, driven by fear of missing out rather than econom

To hire or deploy mercenary soldiers or armed contractors for a mission or conflict.

To make something untidy, spoil it, or make a mistake.

To confine or shut a person or animal in a small, enclosed space.

To attach or fit a microphone to a person or piece of equipment.

To heat food or drink quickly using a microwave oven.

To fit a microphone to a person or piece of equipment before a recording or broadcast.

To cut or chop food, especially meat, into very small fine pieces.

To become covered with condensation or moisture, causing a surface to become unclear.

To confuse two or more things or people, or to combine ingredients together.

To gather together in a large group, often with aggressive or intimidating intent.

To make a rough model, prototype, or sample of something for testing or demonstration.

To make something more contemporary or up-to-date in style, technology, or approach.

To climb something quickly and nimbly, using hands and feet, in the manner of a monkey.

To secure a boat or vessel by attaching it to a fixed point such as a mooring post, buoy, or bank.

To absorb or remove liquid by wiping; to deal with remaining problems, enemies, or tasks after the main action is complete.

To take on a nurturing, protective, or caretaking role, especially in a difficult or demanding situation.

To increase gradually over time to a large or significant amount.

To advance to a higher position, level, or rank, or to shift position to make space.

To do something badly, spoil it, or make it dirty.

To confuse two or more things, or to put things into a disordered mess.

To make something physically muddy or to make a situation more complicated and confusing.

To fail at something or handle it badly, especially by being clumsy or inept at a crucial moment.

To wrap oneself or someone else warmly, especially around the neck and face, to protect against cold.

To study a subject intensively, especially in preparation for a test or for a specific need.

To build up physical muscle mass through exercise, or to gather the strength or resolve to do something.

To crush or grind something into a soft, wet, pulpy mass.

To make hair, clothing, or a tidy space dishevelled and untidy.

To achieve or score something, especially a victory, record, or total.

To summon courage and deal with a difficult situation; to stop being afraid or weak and act decisively.

To present, suggest, or give something, often willingly or as a sacrifice or contribution.

To establish, equip, or furnish a space for use as an office; to set up office facilities.

To apply oil to something or someone, either to lubricate machinery or to coat the body with oil.

To gain an advantage over someone by doing something slightly better or more impressive than them.

To open something (a door, shop, conversation) or to begin sharing one's thoughts and feelings more freely.

To formally request or command that something be provided, prepared, or sent.

To admit honestly that you have done something wrong, even though it is difficult.

To put all your things into bags or boxes ready to leave, or (of a machine) to stop working.

To put on protective padding, especially before playing cricket or a contact sport.

To move the view on a screen upward by one full page or screen length.

To decorate or improve the appearance of something by painting it; to apply make-up heavily.

To form a group of two with another person for a shared purpose.

To become close friends with someone, especially quickly or unexpectedly.

To wrap and pack something into a parcel ready for sending or storing.

To bring a vehicle to a stop and leave it parked in a particular spot.

To join with one other person to form a pair or team, especially for a task or activity.

In online gaming, to join or form a group of players who will play together as a team.

To choose not to take advantage of an opportunity, usually one that is good or rare.

To arrange and attach text and images on a board or page to create a layout for printing, or to stick a notice or poster onto a surface.

To confine a person or animal in an enclosed space, or to suppress feelings.

To make someone or something more lively, energetic, or enthusiastic.

To make something more lively, interesting, or sharp by adding stimulating elements.

To suddenly become more alert, cheerful, or lively, or to make something more attractive.

An informal, gender-neutral alternative to 'man up', meaning to be brave, take responsibility, or deal with a difficult situation without co

To telephone someone.

To falsify or fake something; to make something appear genuine when it is not.

To falsify or fabricate something; to make something appear genuine when it is not.

To lift something from the ground, collect someone or something, learn informally, or improve.

To notice or become aware of something subtle, such as a clue, a feeling, or a social signal.

Not a standard or widely recognised phrasal verb in modern English.

A heavy drinking session; or (less commonly) to ruin or spoil something.

To arrive, especially unexpectedly or without much formality; also to erect or set up a tent or camp.

To cover or seal something (such as a window or door) with planks of wood.

To arrange and serve food on a plate, especially in a restaurant or professional kitchen context.

To exaggerate or emphasize something, to misbehave, or (of a machine) to stop working properly.

To flatter or behave in an ingratiating way toward someone, especially to gain their approval or favor.

To advocate or argue strongly for a higher value, compensation, or charge; the opposite direction of 'plead down.'

To turn over or churn up soil or a surface using a plough, or to break up a surface by moving heavily across it.

To break up and turn over land with a plow, or to churn up a surface through repeated heavy movement

To gather the courage or nerve to do something frightening or difficult

To block or seal a hole, gap, or opening to prevent something from flowing through

To arrange for a plumber to do work, or (rarely) to install plumbing in a building

To make something soft fuller and rounder, or to become fuller and rounder

(Non-standard) To poach food, particularly eggs, or to prepare something by poaching

(Non-standard, rare) To put something into one's pocket, or to accumulate money

To emphasize or make more noticeable a quality, problem, or distinction

(Non-standard, very rare) To become stiff, rigid, or prim in posture or manner

To clean up or tidy an area by collecting litter and debris, especially in a military or institutional context

To improve or refine something, or to make it shine by polishing.

To improve a skill or area of knowledge that has grown rusty or needs refinement.

To pay a required amount of money, often reluctantly or after being pressured.

A rare, dialectal phrasal verb meaning to equip oneself or to dress up smartly.

To appear suddenly, unexpectedly, or from nowhere.

Note: 'Popper up' is not a standard phrasal verb but a noun derived from 'pop up', referring to a person or thing that appears suddenly or u

To gain weight, especially a noticeable and unwelcome amount.

To make something or someone more elegant, luxurious, or upper-class in appearance.

To display or publish something publicly, or in basketball, to position oneself in the post.

To plant a seedling, cutting, or bulb into a pot for the first time.

To supply power to a device so it becomes operational, or to increase one's own energy and readiness.

Slang, primarily within certain LGBTQ+ online communities, meaning to become HIV-positive.

To promote, praise, or advocate for something through preaching or persistent persuasive speech.

Informal: to get something or someone fully prepared and ready for a task or event.

To make something fully ready or complete its preparation; a less common variant of 'prep up'.

To make something or someone more attractive, often by adding decorative touches.

Informal: to contort the body into a twisted, folded shape, or to become complicated and tangled.

To stop a vehicle, to raise or move something upward, to reprimand someone, or to look up information.

To challenge, correct, or reprimand someone specifically about a particular error or behaviour.

To inflate something using a pump, to increase in volume or intensity, or to energise and motivate someone.

To direct criticism or humour at those with more power or status, or to make a piece of writing more energetic and impactful.

To cause prices, levels, or quantities to increase, or to physically move something upward by pushing.

To bring something into direct contact with a surface by pushing, or to encounter a limit or obstacle.

Chiefly African American Vernacular English (AAVE): to flirt with or make romantic or sexual advances toward someone.

To erect or display something; to provide accommodation for someone; to provide money; to offer resistance; to nominate someone for a positi

To deceive, cheat, or take advantage of someone (chiefly regional American English).

To encourage, persuade, or pressure someone into doing something, usually something naughty or wrong.

To tolerate or accept something unpleasant, annoying, or difficult without complaining strongly.

To build or increase something through a layered, hierarchical structure, each level larger than the one above.

To promote a pawn to a queen in chess; or informally, to assert oneself with confidence and power.

To spoil, ruin, or put something in disorder; an older sense of 'queer' meaning to spoil combined with 'up.'

To form or join a line of people or items waiting for something.

To increase in speed or make something go faster.

In typography and traditional printing, to use quoins (wedge-shaped locking devices) to secure type firmly within a printing chase.

To accumulate a large amount of something, such as points, debts, wins, or costs, often rapidly.

To lift something or someone physically, or to elevate someone's position, spirit, or status.

To gather leaves with a rake; or to revive unpleasant memories, scandals, or events from the past.

To increase something steadily and significantly, often in response to demand or urgency.

To annoy, provoke, or reprimand someone; a New Zealand and Australian English colloquialism.

Not a recognised standard English phrasal verb; may refer to developing a skin rash or, in slang, to do something hastily.

To increase something steadily, step by step, in a way that is difficult to reverse.

To study a subject by reading about it, especially to prepare for something or to learn more.

To prepare oneself or signal that one is ready, often used in gaming or casual group situations.

To rise up on hind legs (of animals), or to appear suddenly and imposingly; also used of problems that arise unexpectedly.

To calculate or add up a total, or to assess and evaluate the full extent of something.

To increase an engine's speed, or to increase energy, excitement, or activity.

To compose or produce rhymes, verses, or rhyming content, often spontaneously.

To tidy or clean up a room or space; a dialectal variant of 'tidy up'.

For clothing to move upward out of position on the body; or to approach a place by riding.

To approach someone or something closely on horseback, bicycle, or motorcycle, sometimes unexpectedly.

To construct or assemble something quickly or with improvised materials.

To make someone angry, agitated, or emotionally excited.

To telephone someone, or to enter the price of goods into a cash register.

To tear something into small pieces, or to cancel or disregard an agreement, rule, or document.

To become fully ripe, or to help something reach the right level of ripeness.

To rebel against authority or oppression; to physically move upward; or to emerge and grow stronger.

To attract someone romantically using natural charm and charisma; to charm or seduce someone effortlessly.

To cook something by roasting until it is fully done and ready to eat.

To arrive somewhere, especially casually or without prior warning.

To rise or increase extremely quickly and dramatically.

To wrap or curl something into a cylindrical shape; to arrive somewhere (informally); or to gather at a place.

To approach or arrive at a person or place, typically in a vehicle or with a bold, confident manner.

To pull a plant or tree up from the ground completely, removing it by its roots.

To tie someone or something with rope, or (in climbing) to connect oneself or a group with a safety rope before ascending.

To assault or handle someone roughly, usually as a threat or intimidation rather than to cause serious harm.

To make a surface or texture more coarse, uneven, or rough.

To gather people or animals together, or to increase a number to the nearest convenient whole figure.

To propel a boat upstream or toward a specified destination by rowing.

To polish or clean something by rubbing, or informally to revise or refresh one's knowledge of something.

To put on rubber protective clothing or gear, particularly in industrial or hazardous material contexts.

To accumulate a debt or bill, to sew something quickly, or to raise a flag

To encounter an obstacle, problem, or opposition that prevents you from progressing

(Informal) To accumulate a debt, bill, or amount in a particular place or currency

(Slang, AAVE) To rush aggressively or boldly into a situation, place, or confrontation

(Slang, AAVE) To approach someone suddenly and aggressively, often to confront or attack them

To prepare or find something quickly, often with limited resources; commonly used for food

Alternative spelling of 'sack up'; vulgar slang urging someone to be brave or stop complaining.

Vulgar informal American expression urging someone to be courageous or stop being weak.

A rare informal expression meaning to become sad or to cause someone to feel sad.

To put a saddle on a horse in preparation for riding; figuratively, to prepare to begin a task or journey.

To add salt to something, especially food, or to treat a surface such as a road with salt.

To add sauce to food; informally, to make something more interesting, exciting, or risqué.

To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil or butter over high heat.

To gradually accumulate money over time, usually for a specific purpose.

To increase the size, scope, or capacity of something significantly.

To manage to find, gather, or produce something with difficulty or from limited resources.

To eat food quickly and greedily, or to grab and take something eagerly.

To make something excessively sentimental, emotionally manipulative, or mawkishly sweet.

To apply scientific thinking, research, or methodology to something in order to improve or validate it.

To eat food quickly, greedily, or completely.

To lift or gather something using a scooping motion, or to acquire something eagerly.

To move upward, forward, or closer in a quick, light manner.

To dry out, wither, or burn on the surface due to intense heat.

To record or accumulate points in a game or competition, or to notch up an achievement.

To search thoroughly in order to find or collect something; to gather something with effort.

To climb up something quickly and awkwardly, typically using both hands and feet.

To gather or collect something, especially money, with considerable difficulty.

To gather or collect something, especially money, with difficulty; also to damage a surface by scratching.

To hastily produce a written document or message in messy handwriting.

To make a serious mistake or ruin something; also to crumple paper or contort a face; informally, to cause someone psychological damage.

To manage to find or obtain something with effort, usually by begging, borrowing, or searching

To wash oneself thoroughly, especially before a medical procedure or to look presentable

To form or gather into a tight group, often urgently, borrowed from rugby's 'scrum' formation

A rare, chiefly dialectal phrasal verb meaning either to screw or crumple something up, or (in British dialects) related to scrumping (steal

To squeeze or compress something (or part of the body) into a tight, compact shape

To damage a surface by scraping or rubbing, leaving marks or dulling the finish

To make something dirty, grimy, or unpleasant-looking; to give something a seedy or undesirable quality

To close something completely and securely, making it airtight, watertight, or impossible to open

To look up information using a search engine or device

To parody or mock someone/something with humour, or to send something physically upward.

To present food ready to eat, or to provide or produce something (often used critically).

To prepare, arrange, or establish something so that it is ready to use or function.

To pay what you owe, especially to divide a shared bill or clear a debt with someone.

To arrive or appear somewhere, often unexpectedly or after being awaited.

To stop talking, or to force someone else to stop talking.

To rise from a seated or lying position, or to fail to appear for a planned meeting with someone.

To defend or support a person, belief, or principle, especially in the face of opposition.

To begin a new hobby or activity, or to occupy space or time.

To rip something into many small pieces, or to cause strong emotional distress.

To create or invent something—such as an idea, plan, or excuse—through mental effort.

To vomit, or to produce something suddenly, or to abandon something abruptly.