1 C1 idiomatic slang
(prison slang) To be assigned to share a prison cell with another inmate.
"He was celled up with a veteran prisoner who taught him how to survive inside."
inseparable
cell up
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
(prison slang) To be placed in a cell with another prisoner; to share a prison cell.
In plain English
To be put in the same prison room as another prisoner.
What does "cell up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To be placed up into a cell — sharing the confined space.
Actually means
To be put in the same prison room as another prisoner.
Usage tip
British and Australian prison slang. Rarely encountered outside prison context or crime fiction/documentaries. 'Celled up with' is the typical construction.
Words that pair with "cell up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
prisoner inmate together overnight
How to conjugate "cell up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cell up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cells up
he/she/it
Past simple
celled up
yesterday
Past participle
celled up
have + pp
-ing form
celling up
continuous
Hear "cell up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cell up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "cell up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
be housed with bunk with share a cell
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