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top up

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To add a little more so something is full again.

Literal meaning: To add liquid to the top of a container.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To add more liquid to a container or glass to bring it back to a full level.

"She topped up her glass of water before sitting down for the meeting."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To add credit or money to a phone, account, or card that is running low.

"I need to top up my phone before we leave — I've only got 10p left."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 neutral

To add money regularly to a savings, pension, or investment fund.

"Financial advisers recommend topping up your pension contributions whenever you receive a pay rise."

Grammar: separable
4 B1 neutral

To replenish a supply of something that has been partially used.

"The nurse topped up the patient's IV drip every few hours."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in British English in everyday contexts: topping up a drink, a mobile phone credit balance, a pension fund, or a car's oil. In British restaurants, waiters commonly offer to 'top up' your glass. Also used in finance for regular payments into a savings or pension account.

Commonly used with

glass account phone tank pension credit

Forms

Base
top up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tops up
he/she/it
Past simple
toped up
yesterday
Past participle
toped up
have + pp
-ing form
toping up
continuous

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Synonyms

refill replenish fill up recharge supplement top off

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