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Fixed expressions

Idioms

English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.

Idioms containing up, including its inflections. Clear word filter

drive someone up the wall

CEFR B1

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

Informal

keep your chin up

CEFR B1

To stay cheerful and brave during a difficult time.

Informal

live it up

CEFR B1

to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual

Informal

up to no good

CEFR B1

engaged in behavior that is mischievous, dishonest, or otherwise wrong

Informal

wrap up

CEFR B1

to finish or summarize an activity or meeting

Informal

barking up the wrong tree

CEFR B2

To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action.

Informal

butter someone up

CEFR B2

to flatter someone in order to gain a favour

Informal

everything's coming up roses

CEFR B2

things are going extremely well

Informal

have up one's sleeve

CEFR B2

to have a secret plan or advantage kept ready for later use

Informal

jump up and down

CEFR B2

to react with strong excitement or anger about something

Informal

kick up a fuss

CEFR B2

to react with a noisy, angry complaint, often over a minor issue

Informal

shape up or ship out

CEFR B2

improve your behavior or performance or else leave

Informal

shut up shop

CEFR B2

to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently

Informal

up for grabs

CEFR B2

available for anyone to claim, take, or win

Informal

wake up and smell the coffee

CEFR B2

recognize an unpleasant reality that you have been ignoring

Informal

whatever floats your boat

CEFR B2

whatever pleases you or suits your preferences

Informal

Matching variant: Whatever blows your skirt up

whoop it up

CEFR B2

to enjoy oneself at a noisy, exuberant celebration

Informal

go belly up

CEFR C1

to fail completely, especially of a business

Informal

put up or shut up

CEFR C1

prove a claim through action or stop making it

Informal

run it up the flagpole and see who salutes

CEFR C1

present an idea tentatively to find out who supports it

Informal

the jig is up

CEFR C1

a deception or secret scheme has been discovered and cannot continue

Informal

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