1 C1 idiomatic informal
(informal) To take on the role of chairperson of a committee, board, or meeting.
"After the previous chair resigned, nobody wanted to chair up until the crisis had passed."
inseparable
chair up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
(informal, rare) To take or be appointed to the position of chairperson of an organisation or meeting.
In plain English
To become the person in charge who leads a meeting or organisation.
What does "chair up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move up into the chair — taking the seat of the chairperson.
Actually means
To become the person in charge who leads a meeting or organisation.
Usage tip
Very rare. Not a standard or established phrasal verb in most dictionaries. The verb 'chair' alone (to chair a meeting) is far more common. 'Chair up' may occasionally appear in informal or business slang. Learners should use 'chair' or 'head up' instead.
Words that pair with "chair up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
committee board meeting panel organisation
How to conjugate "chair up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chair up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chairs up
he/she/it
Past simple
chaired up
yesterday
Past participle
chaired up
have + pp
-ing form
chairing up
continuous
Hear "chair up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "chair up"
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