tank up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To fill your car with petrol/gas until the tank is full, or to drink a lot.
Literal meaning: To fill a tank up to the top.
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To fill a vehicle's fuel tank completely before a journey.
"We should tank up before we head into the desert — there are no petrol stations for 200 miles."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
(Informal) To drink a large amount of alcohol.
"They tanked up at the pub before heading to the concert."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The fuel sense is common and practical. The drinking sense is informal and can have a negative connotation. Both senses are common in AmE and BrE. 'Tank up before a long drive' is a natural usage.
Commonly used with
fuel petrol gas beer before journey
Forms
Base
tank up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tanks up
he/she/it
Past simple
tanked up
yesterday
Past participle
tanked up
have + pp
-ing form
tanking up
continuous
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