1 B1 neutral
For a river, lake, well, or other water source to lose all its water and become completely dry.
"The stream dried up completely during the long summer drought."
inseparable
dry up
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To stop flowing or being available, to become completely dry, or to stop speaking suddenly.
In plain English
When something disappears completely or stops being available, like water in a river or ideas in a conversation.
What does "dry up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
For a supply, source of money, ideas, or opportunities to gradually diminish and stop.
"After the initial excitement, interest in the project dried up very quickly."
“
The money dried up, and the project was abandoned.
— Common formulation frequently used in financial and business journalism; representative usage.
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To suddenly stop talking, especially because of nervousness, forgetting what to say, or being told to stop.
"She dried up completely halfway through her speech when she saw the cameras."
inseparable
4 A2 neutral
(British English) To dry dishes with a cloth after they have been washed.
"I'll wash if you dry up — we can chat while we do the dishes."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For all water or liquid to disappear upward ('up') leaving something completely dry — evocative of evaporation.
Actually means
When something disappears completely or stops being available, like water in a river or ideas in a conversation.
Usage tip
'Dry up' is used intransitively in most senses (the river dried up; the conversation dried up). In British English, it also means to dry dishes after washing. The 'stop talking' sense is often used as a rude command ('Oh, dry up!'). Widely used in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "dry up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
river funds supply ideas conversation dishes
How to conjugate "dry up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dry up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dries up
he/she/it
Past simple
dried up
yesterday
Past participle
dried up
have + pp
-ing form
drying up
continuous
Hear "dry up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dry up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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