1 C1 idiomatic informal
(Archaic/rare) To obtain or gather something, especially people or money, by cunning or sharp dealing.
"The old captain managed to shark up a crew from the dockside taverns."
separable
shark up
C1 informal separable transitive
An archaic or very rare expression meaning to gather or obtain something, often through sharp or cunning means.
In plain English
To get or collect something by being clever or a little sneaky.
What does "shark up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To act like a shark — a predatory creature — in gathering something.
Actually means
To get or collect something by being clever or a little sneaky.
Usage tip
Extremely rare and largely archaic. Derived from the noun/verb 'shark' meaning a swindler or someone who preys on others. Not in productive modern use; encountered mainly in historical texts.
Words that pair with "shark up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money crew recruits funds
How to conjugate "shark up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shark up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sharks up
he/she/it
Past simple
sharked up
yesterday
Past participle
sharked up
have + pp
-ing form
sharking up
continuous
Hear "shark up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shark up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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