1 C1 neutral
To attach bait to a fishing hook or set bait in a trap before use.
"He quickly baited up his hook with a worm and cast the line into the river."
separable
bait up
C1 neutral separable transitive
To put bait on a hook, trap, or area in preparation for fishing or hunting.
In plain English
To put food or something attractive on a hook or trap to catch fish or animals.
What does "bait up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To prepare or prime an area with bait to attract fish or wildlife.
"They baited up the swim the night before to attract carp."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place bait upward or onto something — transparent in meaning.
Actually means
To put food or something attractive on a hook or trap to catch fish or animals.
Usage tip
Primarily used in fishing and hunting contexts. Less commonly used in a figurative sense. Most common among hobbyists and in rural or outdoor settings.
Words that pair with "bait up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hook trap line rod area swim
How to conjugate "bait up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bait up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
baits up
he/she/it
Past simple
baited up
yesterday
Past participle
baited up
have + pp
-ing form
baiting up
continuous
Hear "bait up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "bait up"
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