hurry up

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up

Meanings

1

Do something more quickly, often as an instruction

Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.

Hurry up. We're going to miss the bus.
Move faster. We're going to miss the bus.
Hurry up or the food will get cold.
Move faster or the food will get cold.
He hurried up so as not to be late.
He moved more quickly so as not to be late.
2

Make someone or something move or happen faster

Can you hurry the kids up?
Can you make the kids move faster?
The coach hurried the players up before kickoff.
The coach made the players move faster before kickoff.
Nothing will hurry him up.
Nothing will make him move any faster.

Test yourself

Hurry up. We're going to miss the bus. What does it mean?

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