1 B2 idiomatic informal
To begin living with a romantic partner without being married.
"After dating for two years, they decided to shack up together in a flat near the park."
inseparable
shack up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To start living with a romantic or sexual partner without being married, or to stay temporarily in a makeshift place.
In plain English
To move in and live with someone you are in a relationship with, without being married.
What does "shack up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To stay temporarily in a place, often one that is basic or not your own.
"While the building work was being done, he shacked up with a friend across town."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To set up a shack (a small, rough dwelling) — implying a temporary or makeshift living arrangement.
Actually means
To move in and live with someone you are in a relationship with, without being married.
Usage tip
Can carry a mildly disapproving or humorous tone, depending on the speaker's generation and attitudes. In some older or more conservative usage it implies moral judgment. Today it is often used neutrally or humorously. 'Shack up with someone' is the typical form.
Words that pair with "shack up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
partner girlfriend boyfriend together temporarily somewhere
How to conjugate "shack up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shack up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shacks up
he/she/it
Past simple
shacked up
yesterday
Past participle
shacked up
have + pp
-ing form
shacking up
continuous
Hear "shack up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shack up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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