whistle up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To get something or someone to appear very quickly, as if by magic.
Literal meaning: To call someone or something toward you by whistling upward — as a signal.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To summon or call for someone or something quickly, as if by a signal.
"The general whistled up reinforcements within the hour."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To produce or arrange something resourcefully and at short notice.
"She somehow whistled up a three-course dinner from almost nothing in the fridge."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly British English. Implies the ability to produce or arrange something with little apparent effort. Can carry a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone.
Commonly used with
taxi transport reinforcements meal volunteers help
Forms
Base
whistle up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
whistles up
he/she/it
Past simple
whistled up
yesterday
Past participle
whistled up
have + pp
-ing form
whistling up
continuous
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Synonyms
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