cook up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Devise (often something dubious)
Why “up”? A new thing appears or is made.
“They cooked up a risky plan.”
“He cooked up an excuse for being late.”
Test yourself
“They cooked up a risky plan.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
build up
Same up pattern: making
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
come up
Same up pattern: making
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
conjure up
Same up pattern: making
Invent as if by magic
draw up
Same up pattern: making
Compose or formulate
dream up
Same up pattern: making
Invent imaginatively
make up
Same up pattern: making
Invent or fabricate
mix up
Same up pattern: making
Combine ingredients into something new
note up
Same up pattern: making
Write detailed notes on a text, often in the margins
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