/ ʌp; NAmE / adverb , preposition , adjective , verb , noun
■ adverb
HELP NOTE : For the special uses of up in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example break up is in the phrasal verb section at break .
1.
towards or in a higher position :
He jumped up from his chair.
The sun was already up (= had risen) when they set off.
They live up in the mountains.
It didn't take long to put the tent up.
I pinned the notice up on the wall.
Lay the cards face up (= facing upwards) on the table.
You look nice with your hair up (= arranged on top of or at the back of your head) .
Up you come! (= said when lifting a child) .
2.
to or at a higher level :
She turned the volume up.
Prices are still going up (= rising) .
United were 3–1 up at half time.
The wind is getting up (= blowing more strongly) .
Sales are well up on last year.
3.
to the place where sb/sth is :
A car drove up and he got in.
She went straight up to the door and knocked loudly.
4.
to or at an important place, especially a large city :
We're going up to New York for the day.
( BrE , formal )
His son's up at Oxford (= Oxford University) .
5.
to a place in the north of a country :
They've moved up north .
We drove up to Inverness to see my father.
6.
into pieces or parts :
She tore the paper up.
They've had the road up (= with the surface broken or removed) to lay some pipes.
How shall we divide up the work?
7.
completely :
We ate all the food up.
The stream has dried up.
8.
so as to be formed or brought together :
The government agreed to set up a committee of inquiry.
She gathered up her belongings.
9.
so as to be finished or closed :
I have some paperwork to finish up.
Do your coat up; it's cold.
10.
( of a period of time ) finished; over :
Time's up. Stop writing and hand in your papers.
11.
out of bed :
I stayed up late (= did not go to bed until late) last night.
( BrE )
He's up and about again after his illness.
12.
( informal ) used to say that sth is happening, especially sth unusual or unpleasant :
I could tell something was up by the looks on their faces.
What's up? (= What is the matter?)
What's up with him? He looks furious.
Is anything up? You can tell me.
HELP NOTE : In NAmE What's up? can just mean 'What's new?' or 'What's happening?' There may not be anything wrong.
•
IDIOMS
- be up to sb
- not be up to much
- up against sth
- up and down
- up and running
- up before sb/sth
- up for sth
- up to sth
■ preposition
1.
to or in a higher position somewhere :
She climbed up the flight of steps.
The village is further up the valley.
2.
along or further along a road or street :
We live just up the road, past the post office.
3.
towards the place where a river starts :
a cruise up the Rhine
•
IDIOMS
- up and down sth
- up yours!
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] directed or moving upwards :
an up stroke
the up escalator
2.
[ not before noun ] ( informal ) cheerful; happy or excited :
The mood here is resolutely up.
3.
[ not before noun ] ( of a computer system ) working :
Our system should be up by this afternoon.
■ verb ( -pp- )
1.
[ v ] up and ... ( informal or humorous ) to suddenly move or do sth unexpected :
He upped and left without telling anyone.
2.
[ vn ] to increase the price or amount of sth
SYN raise :
The buyers upped their offer by £1 000.
•
IDIOMS
- up sticks
—more at ante
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- on the up
- on the up and up
- ups and downs
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English up(p) , uppe , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch op and German auf .