1 B2 informal
To assemble or construct something quickly, often from whatever materials are available.
"The hikers rigged up a shelter using branches and their waterproof jackets."
separable
rig up
B2 informal separable transitive
To construct or assemble something quickly or with improvised materials.
In plain English
To quickly build or put together something, often using whatever materials you have at hand.
What does "rig up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To connect or install equipment in a temporary or improvised way.
"The sound engineer rigged up a microphone system in the empty warehouse for the concert."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rig (set up) something upward into working order.
Actually means
To quickly build or put together something, often using whatever materials you have at hand.
Usage tip
Implies that the construction is improvised, temporary, or makeshift. Very common in informal contexts. Used in both literal (building a shelter, device) and figurative (arranging a solution) senses.
Words that pair with "rig up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shelter antenna device system camera microphone solution
How to conjugate "rig up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rig up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rigs up
he/she/it
Past simple
riged up
yesterday
Past participle
riged up
have + pp
-ing form
riging up
continuous
Hear "rig up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "rig up"
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