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 B1to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated
keep your chin up
CEFR B1To stay cheerful and brave during a difficult time.
live it up
CEFR B1to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual
up to no good
CEFR B1engaged in behavior that is mischievous, dishonest, or otherwise wrong
wrap up
CEFR B1to finish or summarize an activity or meeting
barking up the wrong tree
CEFR B2To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action.
butter someone up
CEFR B2to flatter someone in order to gain a favour
everything's coming up roses
CEFR B2things are going extremely well
have up one's sleeve
CEFR B2to have a secret plan or advantage kept ready for later use
jump up and down
CEFR B2to react with strong excitement or anger about something
kick up a fuss
CEFR B2to react with a noisy, angry complaint, often over a minor issue
shape up or ship out
CEFR B2improve your behavior or performance or else leave
shut up shop
CEFR B2to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently
up for grabs
CEFR B2available for anyone to claim, take, or win
wake up and smell the coffee
CEFR B2recognize an unpleasant reality that you have been ignoring
whatever floats your boat
CEFR B2whatever pleases you or suits your preferences
Matching variant: Whatever blows your skirt up
whoop it up
CEFR B2to enjoy oneself at a noisy, exuberant celebration
go belly up
CEFR C1to fail completely, especially of a business
put up or shut up
CEFR C1prove a claim through action or stop making it
run it up the flagpole and see who salutes
CEFR C1present an idea tentatively to find out who supports it
the jig is up
CEFR C1a deception or secret scheme has been discovered and cannot continue