What does "luff up" mean (sense 1)?

To steer a sailing vessel toward the direction of the wind, causing the sails to shake or lose power. Example: "The skipper ordered the crew to luff up to slow the boat before entering the harbor."

What does "luff up" mean (sense 2)?

To intentionally steer toward the wind in order to block or hinder a competing vessel in a race. Example: "The leading yacht luffed up to prevent the challenger from passing on the windward side."

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luff up

C1 neutral inseparable intransitive

A sailing term meaning to steer a boat closer to the direction of the wind, causing the sails to flap or lose their fill.

In plain English

On a boat, to turn the front of the boat toward where the wind is coming from, which makes the sails go floppy.

What does "luff up" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 C1 neutral

rare

To steer a sailing vessel toward the direction of the wind, causing the sails to shake or lose power.

"The skipper ordered the crew to luff up to slow the boat before entering the harbor."

inseparable

2 C1 neutral

rare

To intentionally steer toward the wind in order to block or hinder a competing vessel in a race.

"The leading yacht luffed up to prevent the challenger from passing on the windward side."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

'Luff' refers to steering into the wind or the front edge of a sail; 'up' signals moving toward (into the wind). The literal and technical meanings align.

Actually means

On a boat, to turn the front of the boat toward where the wind is coming from, which makes the sails go floppy.

Usage tip

Highly specialized nautical/sailing terminology. Almost exclusively used in sailing contexts. The 'luff' refers to the leading edge of a sail or the act of steering into the wind. Not used outside of sailing discourse. ESL learners will only encounter this in sailing manuals, racing instructions, or maritime fiction.

Words that pair with "luff up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

boat sail helm wind course slightly

How to conjugate "luff up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

luff up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

luffs up

he/she/it

Past simple

luffed up

yesterday

Past participle

luffed up

have + pp

-ing form

luffing up

continuous

Hear "luff up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "luff up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "luff up"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

come up head up point up round up steer into the wind

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "luff" All phrasal verbs with "up" More C1-level phrasal verbs