yellow up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To start looking more and more yellow, especially when that is a sign of aging or damage.
Literal meaning: To take on more yellow color — transparent.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To gradually or noticeably become yellow, especially due to disease, aging, or chemical change.
"The plant's leaves began to yellow up, a sign that it was not getting enough nitrogen."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Extremely rare. Found mainly in specialist conservation, photography, or gardening texts (where leaves may 'yellow up' as a sign of disease or nutrient deficiency). Not a recognized standard phrasal verb in major dictionaries.
Commonly used with
leaves pages paper plastic paint photograph
Forms
Base
yellow up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
yellows up
he/she/it
Past simple
yellowed up
yesterday
Past participle
yellowed up
have + pp
-ing form
yellowing up
continuous
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