1 B1 neutral
To gather and save a large quantity of something for future use.
"Squirrels store up nuts during the autumn to survive the winter."
separable
store up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To accumulate something over time, either deliberately (supplies) or as a consequence of one's actions (problems, resentment).
In plain English
To slowly collect or keep a lot of something, including problems that will happen later.
What does "store up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To accumulate problems, resentment, or future difficulties as a result of one's current actions.
"By ignoring the issue, you're just storing up bigger problems for yourself."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To hold feelings or emotions inside without expressing them, allowing them to grow.
"He had stored up a lot of anger over the years and finally let it out."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To put things away so they build up in quantity.
Actually means
To slowly collect or keep a lot of something, including problems that will happen later.
Usage tip
Commonly used in two key ways: accumulating physical supplies, and accumulating negative consequences (e.g., 'storing up trouble for yourself'). The negative sense is very common in warnings and advice.
Words that pair with "store up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
trouble problems resentment energy food fat
How to conjugate "store up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
store up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stores up
he/she/it
Past simple
stored up
yesterday
Past participle
stored up
have + pp
-ing form
storing up
continuous
Hear "store up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "store up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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