1 A2 neutral
To fold an object into a smaller, more compact shape.
"He folded up his newspaper and tucked it under his arm as he left the café."
separable
fold up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To fold something into a smaller compact shape; or of a business, to collapse and close.
In plain English
Fold something so it's smaller and easier to store; or, for a business, to close down and fail.
What does "fold up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
Of a business or organization, to fail and stop operating.
"The small independent bookshop folded up after thirty years due to rising rents."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To collapse physically, for example by doubling over in laughter or pain.
"The comedian's punchline was so good the entire audience folded up laughing."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fold something upward and into itself — fully transparent in the literal sense.
Actually means
Fold something so it's smaller and easier to store; or, for a business, to close down and fail.
Usage tip
Has both a literal (folding an object) and a figurative (a business failing) sense. The figurative sense is informal. The literal sense is very common and everyday. The business sense is more common in British English, similar to 'go under' or 'close down.'
Words that pair with "fold up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
umbrella newspaper tent chair map business company
How to conjugate "fold up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fold up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
folds up
he/she/it
Past simple
folded up
yesterday
Past participle
folded up
have + pp
-ing form
folding up
continuous
Hear "fold up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fold up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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