æd ʌp
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- add
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "add up" mean?
- To calculate a total
- To make sense or seem logical
Examples
- Add up all the expenses for the month.
- Something doesn't add up about his story.
- The numbers just don't add up.
- Small savings add up over time.
- Let me add up the bill.
How to use it
'It doesn't add up' means something seems wrong or illogical. Very common in both literal and figurative use.
Word order
Object can go between: 'add the numbers up' or 'add up the costs'
Similar expressions
total
calculate
make sense
Related phrasal verbs
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- bring up
To mention or introduce a topic in conversation
- go up
To increase in price, level, or amount
- come up
To be mentioned or discussed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "add up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.