1 B1 neutral
For a muscle to contract suddenly and painfully, making movement difficult.
"Her calf cramped up badly during the final kilometre of the marathon."
inseparable
cramp up
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To experience a sudden, painful muscle contraction, usually during or after physical activity.
In plain English
When your muscles suddenly hurt and go tight and you can't move properly.
What does "cramp up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To become physically tense or restricted in movement due to cold, poor posture, or prolonged inactivity.
"Sitting in that tiny seat for ten hours made my whole back cramp up."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cramp means to restrict painfully; 'up' intensifies the completeness of the muscle contraction.
Actually means
When your muscles suddenly hurt and go tight and you can't move properly.
Usage tip
Almost exclusively used in a physical/medical context. Common in sports commentary and everyday conversation about exercise. Often used with body parts: 'my leg cramped up'.
Words that pair with "cramp up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
leg calf foot muscle stomach swimmer
How to conjugate "cramp up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cramp up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cramps up
he/she/it
Past simple
cramped up
yesterday
Past participle
cramped up
have + pp
-ing form
cramping up
continuous
Hear "cramp up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "cramp up"
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