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roll up

B1 neutral separable both
In simple words

To curl something into a tube shape, OR to arrive somewhere (often at an event).

Literal meaning: To roll something upward into a cylindrical or coiled shape — transparent for the physical sense.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To wrap or fold something into a cylindrical or coiled shape by rolling.

"She rolled up the yoga mat and put it in her bag."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To arrive at a place, often used for people gathering or appearing at an event.

"Fans rolled up to the stadium hours before the match began."

"Roll up, roll up, roll up — step right this way!"

— Traditional British fairground/market barker call; also referenced in The Beatles' 'Magical Mystery Tour' (1967)
3 A2 neutral

To fold or push a sleeve, trouser leg, or similar upward.

"He rolled up his sleeves before starting to wash the dishes."

Grammar: separable
4 A2 neutral

To close a car window by winding it upward.

"He quickly rolled up his window when it started to rain."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The physical sense (rolling up a poster, a carpet, or a cigarette) is very common and literal. 'Roll up, roll up!' is a traditional British fairground and street vendor's call to attract a crowd. 'Roll up' as a noun means a hand-rolled cigarette (British English). The arrival sense overlaps with 'rock up' and 'turn up'.

Commonly used with

sleeves carpet poster cigarette map mat audience window

Forms

Base
roll up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rolls up
he/she/it
Past simple
rolled up
yesterday
Past participle
rolled up
have + pp
-ing form
rolling up
continuous

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