Browse all

collar up

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

To turn up or raise the collar of a jacket or coat, typically for warmth or as a fashion statement.

In plain English

To fold your coat collar up around your neck, usually to keep warm.

What does "collar up" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

1 C1 informal

To raise the collar of a coat or jacket upward, for warmth or as a style choice.

"He collared up as he stepped out into the freezing evening air."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

Fully transparent: to put one's collar in the 'up' position.

Actually means

To fold your coat collar up around your neck, usually to keep warm.

Usage tip

Rarely used as a fixed phrasal verb; more commonly expressed as 'turn your collar up' or 'pop your collar'. 'Collar up' is sometimes used as a command or description in British English. Also appears as an adjective ('collar-up style').

Words that pair with "collar up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

coat jacket wind cold trench coat style

How to conjugate "collar up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
collar up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
collars up
he/she/it
Past simple
collared up
yesterday
Past participle
collared up
have + pp
-ing form
collaring up
continuous

Hear "collar up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "collar up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.