rig up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To quickly build or put together something, often using whatever materials you have at hand.
Literal meaning: To rig (set up) something upward into working order.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To assemble or construct something quickly, often from whatever materials are available.
"The hikers rigged up a shelter using branches and their waterproof jackets."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
To connect or install equipment in a temporary or improvised way.
"The sound engineer rigged up a microphone system in the empty warehouse for the concert."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Implies that the construction is improvised, temporary, or makeshift. Very common in informal contexts. Used in both literal (building a shelter, device) and figurative (arranging a solution) senses.
Commonly used with
shelter antenna device system camera microphone solution
Forms
Base
rig up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rigs up
he/she/it
Past simple
riged up
yesterday
Past participle
riged up
have + pp
-ing form
riging up
continuous
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Synonyms
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