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spit up

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

When a baby brings a little bit of milk back up from its tummy after eating

Literal meaning: To project something upward from the mouth or stomach — mostly transparent

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

Of a baby, to bring up a small amount of milk or food after feeding

"She burped the baby gently after every feed to stop him spitting up."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

Of an adult or older child, to eject a small amount of liquid (especially blood) from the mouth or throat

"He spat up blood after the fall and was rushed to hospital."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Predominantly used in North American English when describing infants regurgitating milk. The British equivalent is more often 'bring up' or 'posset.' Adults can also 'spit up' blood, though 'cough up' is more common in that context. The intransitive use ('the baby spat up') is very natural.

Commonly used with

milk blood food baby infant formula

Forms

Base
spit up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spits up
he/she/it
Past simple
spited up
yesterday
Past participle
spited up
have + pp
-ing form
spiting up
continuous

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Synonyms

regurgitate bring up posset (BrE) reflux vomit slightly

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