shorten up
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make something shorter
Literal meaning: To make something shorter in an upward direction — the 'up' is used as an intensifier here, not directional
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To reduce the length of an object, garment, or text
"She asked the seamstress to shorten up the sleeves by a couple of inches."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 informal
(Sports) To grip a bat, club, or racket higher up the handle for better control
"The coach told him to shorten up on the bat when facing fast bowling."
Usage notes
Used in sports (e.g., 'shorten up on the bat' in baseball/cricket means to grip closer to the middle), tailoring, and everyday speech. In American English, common in baseball commentary. More frequent than 'shorten down'.
Commonly used with
grip bat swing schedule presentation hem rope
Forms
Base
shorten up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shortens up
he/she/it
Past simple
shortened up
yesterday
Past participle
shortened up
have + pp
-ing form
shortening up
continuous
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