1 C1 informal
To become suddenly and visibly pale, especially in response to shock, fear, or bad news.
"He blanched up when he heard that his wallet had been stolen."
inseparable
blanch up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To become suddenly pale, especially from shock or fear; a non-standard intensified variant of 'blanch.'
In plain English
To go very pale very quickly, usually because you are scared or shocked.
What does "blanch up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bleach or whiten suddenly — relatively transparent.
Actually means
To go very pale very quickly, usually because you are scared or shocked.
Usage tip
Very rare and non-standard. 'Blanch' alone carries the full meaning in standard usage. 'Blanch up' appears occasionally in informal speech as an emphatic variant but is not found in major dictionaries. ESL learners should prefer 'go pale,' 'blanch,' or 'turn white.'
Words that pair with "blanch up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
face suddenly shock fear sight news
How to conjugate "blanch up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
blanch up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blanches up
he/she/it
Past simple
blanched up
yesterday
Past participle
blanched up
have + pp
-ing form
blanching up
continuous
Hear "blanch up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "blanch up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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