1 B1 informal
To eat or consume a large amount of a particular food or substance, especially for health, energy, or preparation.
"Athletes often load up on carbohydrates the night before a race."
inseparable
load up on
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To deliberately consume or acquire a large amount of something, especially food, drink, or medicine, in preparation for something.
In plain English
To eat, drink, or take a lot of something, especially to prepare for something ahead.
What does "load up on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To acquire or gather a large quantity of supplies or items before a trip, event, or shortage.
"We loaded up on bottled water and snacks before the long drive through the desert."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fill yourself or your supply to capacity with something specific — purposeful abundance.
Actually means
To eat, drink, or take a lot of something, especially to prepare for something ahead.
Usage tip
Often used in health, fitness, and cooking contexts ('load up on protein'). Also used for acquiring supplies before a trip or event. The tone is purposeful and deliberate.
Words that pair with "load up on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
carbs protein vitamins supplies sunscreen antioxidants
How to conjugate "load up on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
load up on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
loads up on
he/she/it
Past simple
loaded up on
yesterday
Past participle
loaded up on
have + pp
-ing form
loading up on
continuous
Hear "load up on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "load up on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "load up on"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
arm oneself with bulk up on fill up on gorge on stock up on
Keep exploring
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