ripen up
B1 neutral separable both
In simple words
To get completely ripe and ready to eat, or to help fruit or something else reach that stage.
Literal meaning: Transparent — to ripen fully or completely.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To become fully ripe, especially of fruit or produce.
"Leave the avocados on the counter for a day and they'll ripen up nicely."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To cause fruit or produce to reach the right stage of ripeness.
"You can ripen up mangoes faster by placing them in a paper bag."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Mainly used in agricultural and cooking contexts. 'Up' intensifies the verb, suggesting completion. Can be used transitively ('ripen up the bananas') or intransitively ('the tomatoes are ripening up'). Less common than plain 'ripen'.
Commonly used with
tomatoes bananas avocados fruit cheese grain
Forms
Base
ripen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ripens up
he/she/it
Past simple
ripened up
yesterday
Past participle
ripened up
have + pp
-ing form
ripening up
continuous
Understand "ripen up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "ripen up" on Looplines