pair up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Form a pair with someone for an activity
Why “up”? Separate people or pieces come up into one line, pair, group, or connection.
“Pair up with a partner.”
“The students paired up for the speaking task.”
Don't confuse with
Pair up means form a pair with someone for an activity. Pair off means form pairs, especially as couples.
Test yourself
“Pair up with a partner.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pair off
A contrast learners often mix up
Form pairs, especially as couples
catch up
Same up pattern: assembly
Reach the same level or position as someone ahead; Get up to date with news, work or events you have missed; (of bad behaviour or neglect) start to have unavoidable consequences; Spend time talking to a friend after a period apart
line up
Same up pattern: assembly
Arrange people or things in a straight row; Organise or arrange something in advance; Position one object so it is straight with another; Wait in a queue, especially in American English; Identify a suspect or candidate by placing them with others
link up
Same up pattern: assembly
Join two things or groups so they connect
meet up
Same up pattern: assembly
Get together with someone, usually socially; (of paths, lines or roads) come together at a single point
round up
Same up pattern: assembly
Gather people or animals together in one place
team up
Same up pattern: assembly
Join with another person or group to work on something
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