1 B2 informal
To eat a large amount of sugary food or drink, especially to get an energy boost.
"The cyclists sugared up before the race, eating bananas and energy gels to fuel their performance."
inseparable
sugar up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To consume or give a large amount of sugar or sweet food, often resulting in a burst of energy or hyperactivity.
In plain English
To eat lots of sweets or sugary food, or to give someone lots of sugar to eat.
What does "sugar up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To give someone, especially a child, a lot of sweet food, often resulting in hyperactive or excited behavior.
"Please don't sugar up the kids right before bedtime — they'll never go to sleep."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To make something more appealing or palatable, often in a slightly deceptive way (similar to 'sugar-coat').
"He tried to sugar up the bad news by reminding his team of all the good things that had happened that year."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fill (someone) up with sugar.
Actually means
To eat lots of sweets or sugary food, or to give someone lots of sugar to eat.
Usage tip
Common in informal American English, especially when talking about children being given sweets before a big event. The idea that sugar causes hyperactivity in children is a popular belief, though not strongly supported by science. Often used humorously.
Words that pair with "sugar up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
kids children candy treats party Halloween
How to conjugate "sugar up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sugar up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sugars up
he/she/it
Past simple
sugared up
yesterday
Past participle
sugared up
have + pp
-ing form
sugaring up
continuous
Hear "sugar up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sugar up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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