get up
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up
Meanings
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position
Why “up”? A person or thing moves from a lower place or position to a higher one.
“Leo got up as soon as the weekday alarm stopped.”
“Get up from the floor.”
“My brother got up from the sofa.”
“He rarely gets up before noon on weekends.”
“Leo got up from the seaside hotel bed before breakfast.”
Increase in strength
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“The wind is getting up.”
“The sea is getting up tonight.”
“A strong wind got up while we were sailing.”
Memory hook
Up means rising — your body rises out of bed.
Common mistake
I get up from the bed at seven.
I get up at seven.
Get up already means leave your bed, so from the bed is unnecessary.
Natural collocations
The word partners “get up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“Leo got up as soon as the weekday alarm stopped.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
get down
A contrast learners often mix up
Descend or lower yourself; Depress someone emotionally; Capture in writing or recording; Swallow food, drink, or medicine, especially with difficulty; Begin to focus seriously on a task
get out
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Leave home to meet people or enjoy free time; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
build up
Same up pattern: increase
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
call up
Same up pattern: upward
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
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
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