stay up
A2 neutral intransitive
In simple words
To not go to bed and stay awake late
Literal meaning: To stay up — to remain in an upright, awake state rather than lying down to sleep
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To remain awake instead of going to bed, especially later than usual
"The children begged their parents to let them stay up to watch the New Year's fireworks."
2 A2 neutral
To remain in an upright or elevated position without falling
"The decorations wouldn't stay up no matter how much tape we used."
Usage notes
Very common and used by all age groups. Children are often told they cannot 'stay up late'. Also used to describe waiting for someone or watching something. Can also refer to objects that remain in an upright or elevated position.
Commonly used with
late all night until past midnight watch work
Forms
Base
stay up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stays up
he/she/it
Past simple
stayed up
yesterday
Past participle
stayed up
have + pp
-ing form
staying up
continuous
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Synonyms
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