1 C1 formal
to move upward while pressing through resistance with the front of the body
"They breasted up the steep snowy path in silence."
inseparable
breast up
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
to force or work your way upward against resistance
In plain English
to push your way up through something hard
What does "breast up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The image is literal: moving upward breast-first against resistance.
Actually means
to push your way up through something hard
Usage tip
Rare and literary. Often used for movement through water, waves, snow, or steep ground.
Words that pair with "breast up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hill slope waves current bank snow
How to conjugate "breast up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
breast up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
breasts up
he/she/it
Past simple
breasted up
yesterday
Past participle
breasted up
have + pp
-ing form
breasting up
continuous
Hear "breast up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "breast up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "breast up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.