1 A2 neutral
To collect or pick up several objects scattered in different places.
"She gathered up her books and bag and hurried out of the classroom."
separable
gather up
A2 neutral separable transitive
To collect several things from various places and bring them together.
In plain English
To pick up lots of things that are spread around and put them together.
What does "gather up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To summon or muster an inner resource such as courage or energy.
"He gathered up every last bit of his courage and knocked on the headmaster's door."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To pull or draw fabric, hair, or a similar material into a bunch or bundle.
"She gathered up the hem of her long skirt before wading through the puddle."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To gather things and bring them upward into a collected pile or group.
Actually means
To pick up lots of things that are spread around and put them together.
Usage tip
Extremely common in everyday English. Can apply to physical objects or abstract things like courage or energy. The 'up' adds a sense of completeness — gathering everything in.
Words that pair with "gather up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
belongings clothes papers children courage tools
How to conjugate "gather up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
gather up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gathers up
he/she/it
Past simple
gathered up
yesterday
Past participle
gathered up
have + pp
-ing form
gathering up
continuous
Hear "gather up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "gather up"
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