1 B2 idiomatic informal
To laugh so hard that you bend forward or double over.
"We were all completely creased up by the time he finished his story."
inseparable
crease up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To laugh so hard that you bend over or double up; or to cause someone to laugh uncontrollably. Primarily British English.
In plain English
To laugh so hard that your body bends forward, or to make someone laugh that hard.
What does "crease up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To cause someone to laugh uncontrollably.
"His terrible puns always crease the children up at dinner."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To crease means to fold or wrinkle fabric; 'crease up' imagines the body folding forward with laughter.
Actually means
To laugh so hard that your body bends forward, or to make someone laugh that hard.
Usage tip
Almost exclusively British English. Very vivid and expressive. The image is of the body 'creasing' — folding like fabric — due to laughter. Can be used reflexively or transitively.
Words that pair with "crease up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
audience friends everyone whole class tears helplessly
How to conjugate "crease up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
crease up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
creases up
he/she/it
Past simple
creased up
yesterday
Past participle
creased up
have + pp
-ing form
creasing up
continuous
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