up

Universal Words adverb, preposition, adjective, verb, noun adverb HELPNOTE 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). * (spoken) 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 31 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 (spoken) 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. HELPNOTE In AmE What's up? can just mean 'What's new?' or 'What's happening?' There may not be anything wrong. IDIOMS be up to sb to be sb's duty or responsibility; to be for sb to decide: It's not up to you to tell me how to do my job. * Shall we eat out or stay in? It's up to you. not be up to much (BrE) to be of poor quality; to not be very good: His work isn't up to much. up against sth (informal) facing problems or opposition: Teachers are up against some major problems these days. * She's really up against it (= in a difficult situation). up and down 1 moving upwards and downwards: The boat bobbed up and down on the water. 2 in one direction and then in the opposite direction: She was pacing up and down in front of her desk. 3 sometimes good and sometimes bad: My relationship with him was up and down. up and running (of a system, for example a computer system) working; being used: By that time the new system should be up and running. up before sb/sth appearing in front of sb in authority for a judgement to be made about sth that you have done: He came up before the local magistrate for speeding. up for sth 1 on offer for sth: The house is up for sale. 2 being considered for sth, especially as a candidate: Two candidates are up for election. 3 willing to take part in a particular activity: We're going clubbing tonight. Are you up for it? up to sth 1 as far as a particular number, level, etc: I can take up to four people (= but no more than four) in my car. * The temperature went up to 35ｰC. 2 (also up until sth) not further or later than sth; until sth: Read up to page 100. * Up to now he's been very quiet. 3 as high or as good as sth: Her latest book isn't up to her usual standard. 4 (also up to doing sth) physically or mentally capable of sth: He's not up to the job. * I don't feel up to going to work today. 5 (spoken) doing sth, especially sth bad: What's she up to? * What've you been up to? * I'm sure he's up to no good (= doing sth bad). 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 in one direction and then in the opposite direction along sth: I looked up and down the corridor. up yours! (!!!, slang) an offensive way of being rude to sb, for example because they have said sth that makes you angry adjective 1 [onlybeforenoun] directed or moving upwards: an up stroke * the up escalator 2 [notbeforenoun] (informal) cheerful; happy or excited: The mood here is resolutely up. 3 [notbeforenoun] (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 SYNRAISE: The buyers upped their offer by ｣1000. IDIOMS up sticks (BrE, informal) to suddenly move from your house and go to live somewhere else: He upped sticks and went back to France. moreatANTE noun IDIOMS on the up increasing or improving: Business confidence is on the up. on the up and up (informal) 1 (BrE) becoming more and more successful: The club has been on the up and up since the beginning of the season. 2 (AmE) = on the level at LEVELn.: The offer seems to be on the up and up. ups and downs the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship: Every business has its ups and downs.