1 C1 informal
(Non-standard, rare) To cook something, especially eggs, by poaching
"Could you poach up a couple of eggs while I make the toast?"
separable
poach up
C1 informal separable transitive
(Non-standard) To poach food, particularly eggs, or to prepare something by poaching
In plain English
To cook something, like an egg, by putting it in hot water without its shell
What does "poach up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To poach something, bringing it upward into a cooked state
Actually means
To cook something, like an egg, by putting it in hot water without its shell
Usage tip
This phrasal verb is not recognized as standard English. The verb 'poach' alone ('poach an egg', 'poach salmon') is the correct and standard form. 'Poach up' may appear in very informal or dialectal speech but ESL learners should avoid it and use 'poach' by itself.
Words that pair with "poach up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
eggs fish chicken
How to conjugate "poach up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
poach up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
poaches up
he/she/it
Past simple
poached up
yesterday
Past participle
poached up
have + pp
-ing form
poaching up
continuous
Hear "poach up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "poach up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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