1 C1 informal
(Typography/design) To convert text to capital or uppercase letters.
"The designer capped up the headline to make it stand out on the poster."
separable
cap up
C1 informal separable transitive
To put a cap or cover on something, or (in typography) to convert text to capital letters.
In plain English
To put a lid or cap on something, or to change text to uppercase letters.
What does "cap up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To seal or cover something with a cap or lid.
"Make sure you cap up the bottle properly before storing it."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To put a cap (cover) up or on something.
Actually means
To put a lid or cap on something, or to change text to uppercase letters.
Usage tip
The typographic sense is used in design, printing, and digital text editing. The literal 'put a cap on' sense is straightforward but relatively uncommon as a phrasal verb. Niche usage overall.
Words that pair with "cap up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
headline text bottle letter title word
How to conjugate "cap up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cap up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
caps up
he/she/it
Past simple
caped up
yesterday
Past participle
caped up
have + pp
-ing form
caping up
continuous
Hear "cap up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cap up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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