1 B1 neutral
To remove a liquid by gently pressing an absorbent material such as paper or cloth against it.
"Use a clean cloth to blot up the wine spill before it stains the carpet."
separable
blot up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To absorb a liquid by pressing an absorbent material against it.
In plain English
To use a cloth or paper to soak up a spill by pressing it gently.
What does "blot up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make a blot absorb something — to use a blotter to soak up liquid.
Actually means
To use a cloth or paper to soak up a spill by pressing it gently.
Usage tip
Practical, everyday vocabulary. Commonly used in cooking, cleaning, and first aid contexts. Often used with paper towels, cloth, or blotting paper. Implies a gentle pressing rather than wiping.
Words that pair with "blot up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
spill ink grease moisture blood water excess
How to conjugate "blot up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
blot up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blots up
he/she/it
Past simple
bloted up
yesterday
Past participle
bloted up
have + pp
-ing form
bloting up
continuous
Hear "blot up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "blot up"
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