dry up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Become completely dry, leaving no liquid
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“The river dried up in the heat.”
“The well dried up during the long summer.”
Don't confuse with
Dry up means become completely dry, leaving no liquid. Dry out means become or make completely dry.
Test yourself
“The river dried up in the heat.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
dry out
A contrast learners often mix up
Become or make completely dry
add up
Same up pattern: finishing
Combine into a larger total; Make sense or seem true
break up
Same up pattern: finishing
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
call up
Same up pattern: finishing
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
clean up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy thoroughly
clear up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
close up
Same up pattern: finishing
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
cut up
Same up pattern: finishing
Cut something into smaller pieces; Make someone deeply upset or distressed; Behave in a wild or noisy way to attract attention; Overtake another driver suddenly and dangerously
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