1 C1 neutral
To row a boat in an upstream direction or toward a specified point.
"They rowed up the river until they reached the old mill."
inseparable
row up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To propel a boat upstream or toward a specified destination by rowing.
In plain English
To row a boat going upstream — against the current or towards something above you.
What does "row up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To row in an upward or upstream direction — fully transparent.
Actually means
To row a boat going upstream — against the current or towards something above you.
Usage tip
A fairly transparent and literal phrasal verb. Relatively uncommon in modern usage; 'row upstream' or 'row towards' are more common paraphrases. The 'up' particle implies movement against a current or toward a higher point.
Words that pair with "row up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
river stream current lake canal
How to conjugate "row up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
row up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rows up
he/she/it
Past simple
rowed up
yesterday
Past participle
rowed up
have + pp
-ing form
rowing up
continuous
Hear "row up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "row up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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