1 B2 informal
To eat large amounts of carbohydrates before a sporting event to maximize glycogen stores and sustain energy levels.
"The marathon runners spent the evening carbing up with huge plates of pasta."
inseparable
carb up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To eat a large amount of carbohydrate-rich foods before an athletic event or intense physical activity in order to maximize energy stores.
In plain English
To eat lots of pasta, bread, or rice before a race or sport to have lots of energy.
What does "carb up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To load up on carbohydrates.
Actually means
To eat lots of pasta, bread, or rice before a race or sport to have lots of energy.
Usage tip
Common in sports and fitness contexts, especially among runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes. The practice is known as 'carb-loading'. 'Carb up' is the informal verbal form.
Words that pair with "carb up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
marathon race pasta athletes cyclist runner
How to conjugate "carb up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
carb up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
carbs up
he/she/it
Past simple
carbed up
yesterday
Past participle
carbed up
have + pp
-ing form
carbing up
continuous
Hear "carb up" in the wild
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