up (ʌp) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) |
| |
| —prep |
| 1. | indicating movement from a lower to a higher position: climbing up a mountain |
| 2. | at a higher or further level or position in or on: soot up the chimney; a shop up the road |
| |
| —adv |
| 3. | (often particle) to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activity: looking up at the stars; up and doing something |
| 4. | (particle) indicating intensity or completion of an action: he tore up the cheque; drink up now! |
| 5. | to the place referred to or where the speaker is: the man came up and asked the way |
| 6. | a. to a more important place: up to London |
| | b. to a more northerly place: up to Scotland |
| | c. (of a member of some British universities) to or at university |
| | d. in a particular part of the country: up north |
| 7. | above the horizon: the sun is up |
| 8. | appearing for trial: up before the magistrate |
| 9. | having gained: ten pounds up on the deal |
| 10. | higher in price: coffee is up again |
| 11. | raised (for discussion, etc): the plan was up for consideration |
| 12. | taught: well up in physics |
| 13. | (functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, up: up with you! |
| 14. | informal all up with |
| | a. over; finished |
| | b. doomed to die |
| 15. | (functioning as imperative) up with wanting the beginning or continuation of: up with the monarchy! |
| 16. | informal something's up something strange is happening |
| 17. | up against |
| | a. touching |
| | b. having to cope with: look what we're up against now |
| 18. | up and running in operation; functioning properly |
| 19. | up for |
| | a. as a candidate or applicant for: he's up for re-election again |
| | b. informal keen or willing to try: she's up for anything |
| 20. | informal up for it keen or willing to try something out or make a good effort: it's a big challenge and I'm up for it |
| 21. | up to |
| | a. devising or scheming; occupied with: she's up to no good |
| | b. dependent or incumbent upon: the decision is up to you |
| | c. equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc): are you up to playing in the final? |
| | d. aware of: up to a person's tricks |
| | e. as far as: up to his waist in mud |
| | f. as many as: up to two years' waiting time |
| | g. comparable with: not up to your normal standard |
| 22. | informal up top in the head or mind |
| 23. | slang up yours a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal |
| 24. | informal what's up? |
| | a. what is the matter? |
| | b. what is happening? |
| |
| —adj |
| 25. | (predicative) of a high or higher position |
| 26. | (predicative) out of bed; awake: the children aren't up yet |
| 27. | (prenominal) of or relating to a train or trains to a more important place or one regarded as higher: the up platform |
| 28. | (predicative) over or completed: the examiner announced that their time was up |
| 29. | (predicative) beating one's opponent by a specified amount: three goals up by half-time |
| |
| —vb , ups, upping, upped |
| 30. | (tr) to increase or raise |
| 31. | informal (intr; foll by and with a verb) to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc: she upped and married someone else |
| |
| —n |
| 32. | high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs) |
| 33. | slang another word (esp US) for upper |
| 34. | on the up and up |
| | a. trustworthy or honest |
| | b. (Brit) on the upward trend or movement: our firm's on the up and up |
| 35. | slang up oneself self-absorbed or arrogant: he's so up himself |
| |
| usage The use of up before until is redundant and should be avoided: the talks will continue until (not up until) 23rd March |