1 C1 informal
To rinse out the inside of a vessel by swirling or sloshing water or liquid around in it.
"She quickly swilled up the glasses before refilling them with lemonade."
separable
swill up
C1 informal separable transitive
To rinse or clean the inside of a container by sloshing liquid around in it.
In plain English
To clean the inside of a cup, bucket, or container by putting some water in it and swishing it around.
What does "swill up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swill (slosh liquid) upward and around inside a container to clean it.
Actually means
To clean the inside of a cup, bucket, or container by putting some water in it and swishing it around.
Usage tip
A less common variant of 'swill out.' Most often heard in British regional dialects. Not widely recognised outside the UK. Learners should prefer 'rinse out' for general use.
Words that pair with "swill up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
glass bucket cup container mug bottle
How to conjugate "swill up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swill up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swills up
he/she/it
Past simple
swilled up
yesterday
Past participle
swilled up
have + pp
-ing form
swilling up
continuous
Hear "swill up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "swill up"
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