1 B1 neutral
To tilt something so that one end rises upward, often to empty contents or to allow passage.
"The lorry driver tipped up the back of the truck to unload the gravel."
separable
tip up
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To tilt something so that one end rises upward, or for a container to be angled upward to pour its contents.
In plain English
To tilt something so one end goes up.
What does "tip up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(British English) For a hinged seat to fold upward when not occupied.
"Cinema seats are designed to tip up automatically when you stand."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something tip so it goes up.
Actually means
To tilt something so one end goes up.
Usage tip
Common in British English for folding/hinged seats (e.g. cinema seats that 'tip up' when not in use). Also used for lorries whose back sections tilt upward to unload (tip-up trucks). Both transitive and intransitive uses are natural.
Words that pair with "tip up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
seat chair lorry truck container
How to conjugate "tip up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tip up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tips up
he/she/it
Past simple
tiped up
yesterday
Past participle
tiped up
have + pp
-ing form
tiping up
continuous
Hear "tip up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tip up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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