shut up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Stop talking, often used as a rude command
The stop-talking use is rude. With strangers, say please be quiet.
Why “up”? An action, effort, relationship, or process stops, becomes weaker, or does not continue.
“Shut up. I'm trying to think.”
“The crowd shut up when the singer walked on stage.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“Shut up. I'm trying to think.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
shut down
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop operating completely
shut out
A contrast learners often mix up
Prevent someone or something from being included
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
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
give up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop trying; surrender; Stop doing or using something
hang up
Same up pattern: stopping
End a phone call
hold up
Same up pattern: stopping
Raise and keep raised; Delay a person or process
lay up
Same up pattern: stopping
Force someone to stay in bed because of illness or injury
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “shut up”.
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