1 B2 informal
To enter into a romantic relationship with someone.
"Several of the contestants on the show ended up coupling up before the series finished."
inseparable
couple up
B2 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To form a romantic partnership, or to join two things together.
In plain English
To start going out with someone, or to connect two things together.
What does "couple up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To join or connect two things or units together.
"The technician coupled up the two data systems so they could share information."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To become a couple or to join as a pair — mostly transparent.
Actually means
To start going out with someone, or to connect two things together.
Usage tip
The romantic sense is common in everyday speech. The mechanical sense (coupling two railway carriages) is more technical. Often used to describe people getting into relationships during a particular event or period.
Words that pair with "couple up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
partner friend event carriages units systems
How to conjugate "couple up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
couple up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
couples up
he/she/it
Past simple
coupled up
yesterday
Past participle
coupled up
have + pp
-ing form
coupling up
continuous
Hear "couple up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "couple up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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