1 B2 neutral
To place bars across a door, window, or entrance to prevent entry or exit.
"The shop owner barred up the windows after the neighbourhood experienced a series of break-ins."
separable
bar up
B2 neutral separable transitive
To secure a door, window, or building by placing bars across it.
In plain English
To put metal or wooden bars across a door or window to stop people from getting in or out.
What does "bar up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To reinforce or seal a building against entry or escape.
"They barred up the old castle for the winter."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Transparent — to put bars up on or across something.
Actually means
To put metal or wooden bars across a door or window to stop people from getting in or out.
Usage tip
Often describes the physical act of adding iron bars to windows or placing a bar across a door. Can be used literally or metaphorically. More common in historical and literary contexts.
Words that pair with "bar up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
windows doors entrance gate shop building
How to conjugate "bar up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bar up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bars up
he/she/it
Past simple
bared up
yesterday
Past participle
bared up
have + pp
-ing form
baring up
continuous
Hear "bar up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bar up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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