1 B1 neutral
To join or attach components together, especially electrically or mechanically, to form a working system.
"The technician connected up all the cables before switching on the server."
separable
connect up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To join or link things together, especially electrically or mechanically, to form a complete system.
In plain English
To join all the parts together so the whole thing works.
What does "connect up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To make a logical or meaningful link between ideas, events, or facts.
"It took a while, but she finally connected up all the clues and understood what had happened."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To join up all connections in a network.
Actually means
To join all the parts together so the whole thing works.
Usage tip
Common in practical, technical, and DIY contexts. The 'up' adds a sense of completeness—everything is properly joined. Can also be used figuratively to mean making a logical connection between ideas.
Words that pair with "connect up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cables pipes device system wires network
How to conjugate "connect up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
connect up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
connects up
he/she/it
Past simple
connected up
yesterday
Past participle
connected up
have + pp
-ing form
connecting up
continuous
Hear "connect up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "connect up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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