Up

We useupas an adverb to talk about movement towards a higher position, value, number or level:

She put the booksupon the highest shelf.

The good weather has pushed sales of summer clothesup.

We light the fire every night and that heats the roomup.

We useupto talkabout a higher position or movement to a higher position:

He wasupa ladder painting.

My grandparents live justupthe road.

I followed Vivianupthe stairs, where there was a small dining room.

As we were climbingupthe narrow mountain road, we could see the sea below.

We useupas anadjective usually to talk about increases in prices, levels or amounts:

The price of fuel isupagain.

It was cold yesterday but the temperature isuptoday.

We useup towith numbers and amounts when we are being approximate. It means ‘as much as’ or ‘not more than’:

There wereup to100 guests at the wedding.

[Inspector Morseis a popular British TV detective series]

Behind each episode of ‘Inspector Morse’, there’s a crew ofup to80 technicians who make the gentleman detective look his best.

Upis commonly used as a particle in phrasal verbs:

He wasbrought upby his grandmother.

Don’tgive up. You will find a job.

What time did youwake upthis morning?

Upis also commonly used as an adverb particle followed by a preposition in phrasal prepositional verbs:

I had to run tocatch up withElaine. She walks so fast.

I’ve alwayslooked up tomy older brother.

You’ll find other phrases that useupas a particle in a good learner’s dictionary.