end up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Arrive at an unintended outcome
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“We ended up missing the train.”
“Our flight was cancelled, so we ended up staying in a small hotel.”
Memory hook
After everything, you arrive at the end — that's where you end up.
Common mistake
We ended up to go home early.
We ended up going home early.
After end up, use the -ing form.
Natural collocations
The word partners “end up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
In conversation
How was the night out?
Chaotic — we ended up in a karaoke bar at 2am.
Test yourself
“We ended up missing the train.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
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
do up
Same up pattern: finishing
Fasten a button, zip or buckle; Improve a room or property by repairing or decorating it; Wrap or tie something into a neat package; Style or arrange one's hair or appearance
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “end up” in Sink In
Drill “end up” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
