1 B2 informal
To gather a sufficient stock of necessary supplies, especially before a trip, mission, or period of need.
"Before the long winter, the settlers supplied up with enough food and firewood to last several months."
inseparable
supply up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To gather, obtain, or replenish a stock of supplies in preparation for a future need.
In plain English
To get all the food, equipment, or materials you will need before doing something.
What does "supply up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
In military or expedition contexts, to resupply a unit or group with the materials needed to continue operations.
"The patrol needed to head back to base to supply up before pushing further into the mountains."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To supply (oneself) up (to a full level).
Actually means
To get all the food, equipment, or materials you will need before doing something.
Usage tip
Less standard than 'stock up,' which is the preferred expression for this meaning. 'Supply up' appears in informal and military contexts. Not widely documented as a fixed phrasal verb; many speakers would prefer 'stock up' or 'load up on supplies.'
Words that pair with "supply up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food ammunition fuel medicine gear provisions
How to conjugate "supply up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
supply up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
supplies up
he/she/it
Past simple
supplied up
yesterday
Past participle
supplied up
have + pp
-ing form
supplying up
continuous
Hear "supply up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "supply up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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