shrink up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To become smaller or to curl into a tight shape.
Literal meaning: To shrink in an upward or inward direction — transparent but less natural than 'shrink down'.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To contract or become smaller, often due to heat or drying.
"The wet leather shrank up as it dried in the afternoon sun."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Less common than 'shrink down'. Can be used for physical materials that contract inward (leather, fabric, or organic matter drying). Also used in informal speech to describe a person making themselves seem small. Largely interchangeable with 'shrink' in most contexts.
Commonly used with
heat cold leather fabric fear corner
Forms
Base
shrink up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shrinks up
he/she/it
Past simple
shrinked up
yesterday
Past participle
shrinked up
have + pp
-ing form
shrinking up
continuous
Understand "shrink up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "shrink up" on Looplines