snarl up

B2 informal separable both

In simple words

To get totally stuck in a traffic jam or to make a situation so confused that nothing can move or work.

Literal meaning: To snarl (growl with bared teeth, or tangle) and go upward — the 'up' intensifies the idea of complete entanglement.

Meanings

1 B2 informal

common

Of traffic: to become severely congested and unable to move.

"The city centre completely snarled up after a lorry overturned on the main bridge."

Grammar: separable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To cause a process, system, or plan to become entangled in problems so that it cannot proceed.

"Bureaucratic red tape snarled up the construction project for months."

Grammar: separable

3 B2 neutral

uncommon

To become physically tangled or knotted.

"The fishing line snarled up around the propeller and the boat couldn't move."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Most common in British English. Used frequently in traffic and transport reporting. As a noun, 'snarl-up' is also standard ('a three-mile snarl-up on the M25'). Less common in American English.

Commonly used with

traffic roads system negotiations plans network

Forms

Base

snarl up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

snarls up

he/she/it

Past simple

snarled up

yesterday

Past participle

snarled up

have + pp

-ing form

snarling up

continuous

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Synonyms

jam up block up tangle up tie up clog up gum up

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