I became interested today in the role of the preposition up in altering the meaning of English verbs.
There are four kinds of verbs in this regard:
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Verbs which cannot take up, eg. colour, juggle, or wear.
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Verbs which can only take up in a directional sense, eg. walk, sail, or march; or more subtly pick up or boil up, or in a semi-directional sense as in speak up.
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Verbs which use up to mean “use the whole stock of”, eg. eat up or drink up.
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Verbs whose meaning is modified by up.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| box up | package in a box |
| curl up | usual, or to curl oneself up |
| dress up | to dress in an ostentatious or fanciful way |
| fire up | turn on |
| gather up | gather together |
| hole up | to hide in a stronghold or secret place |
| listen up | emphatic of listen |
| pick up | take from the floor, or attain a skill |
| play up | talk up, or misbehave |
| rake up | usual, or to uncover unpleasant past affairs |
| rip up | rip apart |
| rise up | usual, or to revolt |
| shoot up | to shoot the inhabitants of a building |
| talk up | to exaggerate the merits of something |
| throw up | vomit |
| tie up | to restrain by tying |
This is surely an incomplete list.
Verbs are often also modifed in meaning by other prepositions such as out and around.