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to, toward, or in a more elevated position:
to climb up to the top of a ladder.
to or in an erect position:
to stand up.
out of bed:
to get up.
above the horizon:
The moon came up.
to or at any point that is considered higher.
to or at a source, origin, center, or the like:
to follow a stream up to its source.
to or at a higher point or degree, as of rank, size, value, pitch, loudness, brightness, maturity, or speed:
to move up in a firm; to pump up a tire; to turn a lantern up; Prices are going up. Speak up! Hurry up!
ahead; in a leading position in a competition:
He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
in continuing contact, especially as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc.:
to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
into or in activity, operation, etc.:
to set up vibrations.
into a state of emotional agitation or distress:
His insults left her all roiled up.
into existence, visible form, etc.:
His sample was worked up in the studio.
into view, prominence, or consideration:
The lost papers have turned up.
into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc.:
to lay up riches; to put up preserves.
into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.:
to add up a column of figures; to fold up.
to the required or final point:
to pay up one’s debts; burned up.
to a state of completion; to an end:
She finished it all up.
to a halt:
The riders reined up and dismounted.
Baseball. being the player or team batting; at bat.
(used as a function word for additional emphasis, sometimes preceded by it):
Go wake your father up. What plugged it up? We laughed it up.
ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc.:
The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
each; apiece:
The score was seven up in the final quarter.
(of machines or equipment, as computers) working; in working order or in operation.
Informal. without the addition of ice; straight up:
Bring me a martini, up.
Nautical. toward the wind:
Put the helm up.
to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in:
They went up the stairs. The cat is up the tree.
to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in:
He is well up the social ladder.
at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:
She is up the street. I’m going up the street.
toward the source, origin, etc., of:
up the stream.
toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory:
The explorers were up north.
in a course or direction that is contrary to that of:
to row up the current.
moving in or related to a direction that is up or is regarded as up:
the up elevator; the up train traveling north; the up platform of a railroad station.
informed; familiar; aware (usually followed by on or in):
She is always up on current events.
concluded; ended; finished; terminated:
The game is up. Your hour is up.
going on or happening; taking place; occurring:
What’s up over there?
having a high position or station:
He is up in society.
in an erect, vertical, or raised position:
The gate at the railroad crossing is up. The tent is up.
above the earth or ground:
The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
in the air; aloft:
The meteorological balloons are up. The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
(of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:
The sun is up.
awake or out of bed:
to be up with insomnia.
mounted on horseback:
He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
(of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:
The tide is up.
built; constructed:
The new museum is up and open to the public.
facing upward:
He is resting and his face is up.
.
(of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination):
a torn-up road.
in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation:
Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
in a state of agitation:
Beware of him when his temper is up.
Informal. cheerful or optimistic; high-spirited; happy; exuberant; upbeat.
Informal. productive, favorable, or profitable:
a string of up months for the company.
afoot or amiss:
Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually followed by for):
The team was definitely up for the game.
bound; on the way:
She was on a ship up for Australia.
resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way:
They knew that their game was up.
higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.:
The price of meat was up.
(of age) advanced (usually followed by in):
He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
active:
The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
in a legal proceeding as defendant:
He is up for murder.
in operation or ready for use:
The theater’s lights are up.
(of points or other standards used to determine the winner in a competition) ahead; in advance:
He won the game with two points up over his opponent.
considered or under consideration:
a candidate up for reelection; a bill that is up before Congress.
wagered; bet:
He won all the money up in the game.
living or located inland or on elevated ground:
They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
(used with a preceding numeral to indicate that a score is tied in a competition):
It was 10 up at the end of the first half.
ahead of an opponent or opponents:
They scored three times in a row to go two up.
an upward movement; ascent.
a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness:
He has had more ups than downs in his career.
an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
Informal. a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
a person or thing that is in a favorable position of wealth, fortune, etc.:
People who were ups in the business world suffered losses in the economic depression.
an upward slope; elevation.
an upward course or rise, as in price or value:
The landlord promised his tenants there would be no further ups in the rent this year.
Slang. 2 .
to put or take up.
to make larger; step up:
to up output.
to raise; go better than (a preceding wager):
to up the ante.
Informal. to start up; begin something abruptly (usually followed by and and another verb):
Then he upped and ran away from home.
(often used imperatively or hortatively) to rise up:
Up, men, and fight until all the enemy are defeated!
all up with, at or approaching the end of; with defeat or ruin imminent for:
He realized it was all up with him when the search party began to close in.
go up in one’s lines. 1 (def 71).
on the up and up, Informal. frank; honest; sincere:
He seems to be on the up and up.
Also, on the up-and-up.
straight up. (def 34).
up against, faced or confronted with:
They were up against formidable obstacles.
up against it, in a difficult situation, especially in financial straits:
There was no one to help him when he was up against it.
up and around, recovered from an illness; able to leave one’s bed.
Also, up and about.
up and doing, Informal. actively engaged; alert; busy:
During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.
up and down,

back and forth; backward and forward:
He paced up and down.
from top to bottom or head to toe:
She looked me up and down before replying.

up for, considered as eligible or as a possibility for (something):
The child is up for adoption. Three actresses are up for the role.
up to,

as far as or approaching (a certain part, degree, point, etc.):
She went wading up to her knees. I am up to the eighth lesson.
in full realization or attainment of:
He worked up to president of the company.
as many as; to the limit of:
The car will seat up to five persons.
having adequate powers or ability for; capable of; equal to:
He didn’t think I was up to the job.
the duty or responsibility of; incumbent upon:
It’s up to you to break the news to him.
engaged in; contriving; doing:
What have you been up to lately?

up your ass, Slang: Vulgar. 1 (def 8).
Also, up yours.
a combining form of :
upland; upshot; upheaval.
.
underproof (alcohol).
.
Contemporary Examples

Pakistan allows passage of the endless convoys ferrying critical U.S. war supplies from Karachi up into Afghanistan.
Our Pakistan Problem Manages to Get Worse John Barry May 14, 2011

While the industry is up in arms over the development, Lords views it as a necessary evil.
Traci Lords on ‘Excision’ and Her Porn Past Marlow Stern January 26, 2012

A recent study released by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs backs this up.
The Vulnerability of American Rabbis Rabbi Jonah Geffen November 7, 2013

The Daily Mail has a long tradition building ’em up to knock ’em down, and it seems even poor Pippa Middleton isn’t immune.
Pippa’s Book Gets Killed By The Daily Mail (So, Er, Why Did They Buy The Rights, Then?) Tom Sykes October 22, 2012

When the persistent passive-aggressive Nice Guy act fails, do they step it up to elaborate Steve-Urkel-esque stalking and stunts?
Your Princess Is in Another Castle: Misogyny, Entitlement, and Nerds Arthur Chu May 26, 2014

Historical Examples

In sooth, I would yet do it, if he would make it up with the housewife.
The Armourer’s Prentices Charlotte M. Yonge

Mrs. Bines, stooping, took the limp and wide-eyed Paul up in her arms.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

The use of the pronoun, the disuse of the grammar pulled him up short.
The Incomplete Amorist E. Nesbit

Consolidated is no now, and it’ll be up to 150 by April at the latest.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

Then hitch them up as fast as you like, and put a good stock of feed in, while we go and get ready.
Australia Revenged Boomerang

preposition
indicating movement from a lower to a higher position: climbing up a mountain
at a higher or further level or position in or on: soot up the chimney, a shop up the road
adverb
(often particle) to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activity: looking up at the stars, up and doing something
(particle) indicating intensity or completion of an action: he tore up the cheque, drink up now!
to the place referred to or where the speaker is: the man came up and asked the way

to a more important place: up to London
to a more northerly place: up to Scotland
(of a member of some British universities) to or at university
in a particular part of the country: up north

above the horizon: the sun is up
appearing for trial: up before the magistrate
having gained: ten pounds up on the deal
higher in price: coffee is up again
raised (for discussion, etc): the plan was up for consideration
taught: well up in physics
(functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, up: up with you!
(informal) all up with

over; finished
doomed to die

(functioning as imperative) up with, wanting the beginning or continuation of: up with the monarchy!
(informal) something’s up, something strange is happening
up against

touching
having to cope with: look what we’re up against now

up and running, in operation; functioning properly
up for

as a candidate or applicant for: he’s up for re-election again
(informal) keen or willing to try: she’s up for anything

(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
up to

devising or scheming; occupied with: she’s up to no good
dependent or incumbent upon: the decision is up to you
equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc): are you up to playing in the final?
aware of: up to a person’s tricks
as far as: up to his waist in mud
as many as: up to two years’ waiting time
comparable with: not up to your normal standard

(informal) up top, in the head or mind
(slang) up yours, a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
(informal) what’s up?

what is the matter?
what is happening?

adjective
(predicative) of a high or higher position
(predicative) out of bed; awake: the children aren’t up yet
(prenominal) of or relating to a train or trains to a more important place or one regarded as higher: the up platform
(predicative) over or completed: the examiner announced that their time was up
(predicative) beating one’s opponent by a specified amount: three goals up by half-time
verb ups, upping, upped
(transitive) to increase or raise
(intransitive; foll by and with a verb) (informal) to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc: she upped and married someone else
noun
high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs)
(slang) another word (esp US) for upper (sense 9)
on the up and up

trustworthy or honest
(Brit) on the upward trend or movement: our firm’s on the up and up

(slang) up oneself, self-absorbed or arrogant: he’s so up himself
abbreviation
United Press
Uttar Pradesh
prefix
up, upper, or upwards: uproot, upmost, upthrust, upgrade, uplift
adv.

Old English up, uppe, from Proto-Germanic *upp- “up” (cf. Old Frisian up; Old Norse upp; Danish, Dutch op; Old High German uf, German auf “up”; Gothic iup “up, upward,” uf “on, upon, under;” OHG oba, German ob “over, above, on, upon”), from PIE root *upo “up from below” (cf. Sanskrit upa “near, under, up to, on,” Greek hypo “under, below,” Latin sub “under;” see sub-).

Meaning “exhilarated, happy” first attested 1815. Musical up tempo (adj.) is recorded from 1948. Up-and-coming “promising” is from 1848. Phrase on the up-(and-up) “honest, straightforward” first attested 1863, American English. Up the river “in jail” first recorded 1891, originally in reference to Sing Sing, which is up the Hudson from New York City. To drive someone up the wall (1951) is from the notion of the behavior of lunatics or caged animals. Insulting retort up yours (scil. ass) attested by late 19c.
v.

earliest recorded sense is “to drive and catch (swans),” 1560, from up (adv.). Meaning “to get up, rise to one’s feet” (as in up and leave) is recorded from 1643. Sense of “to move upward” is recorded from 1737. Meaning “increase” (as in up the price of oil) is attested from 1915. Cf. Old English verb uppian “to rise.” Upping block is attested from 1796.

prefix with various senses, from Old English up (see up (adv.)), corresponding to similar prefixes in other Germanic languages.

adjective

Exhilarated; happy; sparkling; hopeful: I was feeling up. I thought it had been a very successful evening (1815+)
Encouraging; hopeful; upbeat: I don’t like down movies, I like up movies (1970s+)
Ready and effective; keyed up; in one’s best form: Obviously, Kennedy wanted to be ”up” for the meeting (1972+)
Intoxicated by narcotics, esp amphetamines; high: as it does when you’re up on bennie (1960s+ Narcotics)
(also up and rolling or up and running) Functioning; in operation; active: English-only a is a phony issue raised only to get folks’ bile up and running in time for the presidential race (1980s+ Computer)

noun

A source of excitement; a pleasurable thrill; lift: Her words gave me a huge up (1966+)
An amphetamine dose, capsule, etc; upper: Let’s do some ups tonight (1960s+ Narcotics)

verb

To raise; increase: My confidence has upped itself (1925+)

[first adjective sense is based on up, ”effervescent, bubbling,” used of beer and other drinks; later similar uses, from the 1940s, are based on the ”high” produced by narcotics]

jargon
Working, in order. E.g. “The down escalator is up.”
Opposite: down.
[Jargon File]
(1995-03-06)
underproof
Upper Peninsula [of Michigan]
upper

up a creek
up a tree
up against
up and about
up and at ’em
up for grabs
up front
up in arms
up in the air
up on something, be
up one’s alley
up one’s sleeve
up the creek
up the river
up the wall
up to
up to a point
up to date
up to no good
up to one’s ears
up to one’s old tricks
up to par
up yours

also see:

act up
add up
add up to
all shook up
all up
ante up
back up
ball up
bang up
bark up the wrong tree
bear up
beat up
beef up
bid up
blow up
bob up
bone up
boot up
bottle up
bound up in
brace up
break up
bring up
bring up the rear
bring up to date
brush up
buckle up
buck up
buddy up
build up
bump up
burn up
butter up
button up
buy up
call up
camp it up
card up one’s sleeve
catch up
chalk up
charge up
chat up
cheer up
choke up
choose up
clam up
clean up
clear up
clock up
close up
cloud over (up)
come (up) from behind
come up
come up against
come up roses
come up with
cook up
cough up
cover up
cozy up
cracked up
crack up
crank up
crap up
creep up on
crop up
cross up
curl up
cut up
dead from the neck up
dig up
doll up
double up
do up
draw up
dream up
dress up
drum up
dry up
ease off (up)
eat out (someone up)
eat up
end up
face up to
fed to the gills (up)
feel up
feel up to
figure up
fire up
fit out (up)
fix up
fix up with
flare up
fold up
follow up
foul up
from the ground up
fuck up
game is up
gang up
gas up
get someone’s back up
get up
get up on the wrong side of bed
get up steam
give oneself up
give up
give up the ghost
go belly up
goof up
go up
go up in flames
grow up
gum up
ham up
hands up
hang up
hard up
haul up
have had it (up to here)
heads up
head up
heat up
hit up
hold one’s end up
hold one’s head high (up)
hold up
hole up
hook up
hopped up
hurry up and wait
hush up
jack up
jazz up
juice up
keep it up
keep one’s chin up
keep (someone) up
key up
kick up
kick up a fuss
kick up one’s heels
kiss and make up
knock up
laid up
land in (up)
lap up
lark it up
laugh up one’s sleeve
lay in (up)
lead down (up) the garden path
lead up to
leg up
let up
lighten up
light up
line up
live it up
live up to
lock up
look over (up and down)
look up
louse up
make up
make up for lost time
make up one’s mind
make up to
mark up
measure up
meet up with
mess up
mix it up
mix up
mop up
mop up the floor with
move up
muck up
not all it’s cracked up to be
number’s up
one up
on the up-and-up
open up
own up
pair off (up)
pass up
patch up
pay up
pep someone up
perk up
pick up
pick up on
pile up
pipe up
play up
play up to
pluck up
point up
pony up
pop up
prick up one’s ears
psych up
pull oneself up
pull up
pull up stakes
pump up
push up daisies
put one’s feet up
put someone up to
put up
put-up job
put up or shut up
put up with
rack up
rake up
read up
rev up
ride up
right-side up
right up one’s alley
ring up
roll up
roll up one’s sleeves
rough up
round up
rub up on
run (up) against
run up
rustle up
save up for
scare up
scrape up an acquaintance
screw up
scrounge around (up)
scrub up
seal off (up)
seize up
send up
serve up
settle up
set up
set up housekeeping
sew up
shack up
shake up
shape up
shine up to
shoot up
shore up
shot up
show up
shut up
sign up
sit up
sit up and take notice
size up
slip up
slow up
smell up
snap up
soak up
soften up
somebody up there loves me
speak out (up)
speed up
spit up
spruce up
square up
stack up
stand up
stand up and be counted
stand up for
stand up to
stand up with
start up
steamed up
step up
stick up
stir up
stir up a hornets’ nest
stop up
straighten up
straight up
string up
suck up to
suit up
sum up
take up
take up a collection
take up arms
take up for
take up on
take up space
take up where one left off
take up with
talk up
tank up
team up with
think up
throw up
throw up one’s hands
thumbs up
tie up
time is up
tone down (up)
tool up
(up) to the hilt
touch up
trade down (up)
trial balloon, send up a
trip up
trump up
tune up
turn up
turn up one’s nose
turn up one’s toes
turn up the heat
turn up trumps
wait up
wake-up call
warm up
wash up
what’s cooking (up)
what’s (up) with
whip up
whoop it up
wind up
wise up
worked up
work one’s way (up)
work up
wrapped up
wrap up
write up

also see under:
upper