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Up A
Basic meanings of up in phrasal verbs You are probably familiar with verbs such as eat up and write up, which carry a meaning of completion. Here are some more examples: Come on, children, finish up your breakfast. It’s time to go. Well, let’s wrap up the discussion now and vote. [(informal) finish an activity] Up can also carry the meaning of upward movement or relating to an upper position. Could you lift the table up while I put the rug under it? Teddy, pick all your toys up from the floor and put them in your toy box. Another meaning of up in phrasal verbs is maintain in an upright position or strengthen, prevent from falling down or failing. Victoria was lying propped up on a pillow. [supporting herself in an upright position] The minister announced new measures to shore up the economy. [strengthen or improve an organisation or system that is not working effectively or that is likely to fail] Up can also mean increase or improve. This sauce is tasteless. I’ll add some garlic to pep it up a bit. [(informal) make something more interesting, lively or energetic] We jazzed up our all-white kitchen by adding red tiles and doorknobs here and there. [(informal) make something more attractive or interesting]
B
Other phrasal verbs with up Read these TV programme previews and note the phrasal verbs with up.
The Man Who Hated Dogs Tuesday 9pm
DDC
atv
History File Thursday 8.30pm
The hero of this comedy, played by Nathan Farr, finds himself playing daddy to three homeless dogs, but lands up1 in trouble with his girlfriend when the local press publishes a story about him which is blown up2 to make him look like a pitiless animal-hater.
An archaeologist notices some strange, pointed stones sticking up from the surface of a lake during a drought. Suspecting they may mark the site of an ancient tomb, she takes infrared photographs from the air. What shows up3 in the images deepens the mystery. After a long investigation she concludes that theories about the ancient Mosa people no longer stand up4.
1
3
(informal) finally does something, especially without having planned to 2 made to seem much worse than it is
Nation on the Move Friday 10pm
becomes visible appear correct when examined
4
Chips with everything Friday 7.30pm
GlobalNews
TV
HNTV
Documentary-maker Elliot Warcross picks up on5 recent rumours in the press that an ultra-rich business tycoon has attempted to buy up the world’s supply of silicon, opening up the terrifying possibility of a world monopoly in computer chips. Warcross tries to set up an interview with the mystery tycoon but receives death threats in return.
Phrasalia, once a country closed to the rest of the world, has opened up since the death of its longtime ruler President Particulos. But will the newfound freedoms ultimately lead to the country splitting up into chaotic, rival republics as tensions emerge in its five provinces? 5
reacts to something that he has noticed
Error warning We say ‘I went into the garden and picked some flowers.’ Don’t say ‘picked up some flowers’; pick up is used for things which are on or have fallen to the ground. 34
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
