Unit 13 UP

 Hello, everyone!

Today, we're going to dive into the wonderful world of phrasal verbs, specifically focusing on the little but mighty particle "up." You've probably noticed it everywhere, attached to verbs in all sorts of different situations. But what does it really mean?

We're going to see how "up" often carries a very specific and useful meaning: the idea of completing or totally finishing something.

Let's look at a few examples from a text about someone doing housework.

• "I spent all morning yesterday clearing up my study."

• "Then I had to sweep up the rubbish..."

• "After that I tried to tidy up my bedroom."

In all of these cases, the "up" isn't just an extra word; it emphasizes that the action is done completely. Clearing up doesn't just mean moving a few things around—it means making the whole place tidy. Sweeping up isn't just a casual brush; it's about getting all the rubbish off the floor. The same goes for tidying up your room. The "up" makes it a complete action.

We see this same emphasis in other everyday phrases:

• "The washbasin was clogged up." The "up" here highlights that it's not just a little blocked; it's completely blocked.

• "I'd used up all my energy." You haven't just used some of your energy; you've used it all. You've finished your supply.

This idea of completion is really common. Think about when your parents would tell you:

• "Eat up your vegetables!"

• "Drink up your juice!"

They're not just telling you to eat or drink a little bit; they're telling you to finish everything on your plate or in your glass. The "up" makes it clear that they mean "finish it all or completely."

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Now, let's look at some other ways "up" is used, especially in conversations. This time, it's not always about finishing something, but still adds important meaning.

Imagine you're chatting with a friend online, and they say something like this:

• "My sister Val showed up at last."

• "She turned up yesterday evening."

Here, showed up and turned up mean she arrived. The "up" often suggests that the arrival was a bit of a surprise, or perhaps that the person was expected to arrive for some time. It's a more informal and lively way of saying "arrived."

What if someone starts a new business?

• "She’s just opened up a restaurant."

Again, the "up" isn't strictly necessary, but it gives a sense of a new beginning, a new venture that's fully open and ready for business. It makes the action feel more significant.

We also see "up" used to describe changes or arrangements:

• "It'll certainly liven Dunston up a bit."

• "...they divide up the work."

• "...she spends half the day chopping up food."

In these examples, the particle "up" modifies the action in a unique way. To liven up a place means to make it more interesting and exciting, changing its mood completely. To divide up something means to separate it into smaller parts or groups—not just cutting it, but making sure the division is complete. And to chop up food is to cut it into many small pieces. The "up" shows the action is done thoroughly and completely.

So, as you can see, the little particle "up" is more than just a word; it's a tool that adds emphasis and specific meaning to our verbs. It can show that an action is completed, that someone has arrived, or that a change has been made.

Keep an ear out for it in your daily conversations and you'll start to notice just how much work this tiny word does!