juːz ʌp
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- use
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "use up" mean?
To consume or exhaust the entire supply of something
Examples
- We've used up all the milk.
- Don't use up all your energy at the start.
- The project used up the entire budget.
- She used up her vacation days.
- I've used up all my patience.
How to use it
Similar to 'run out of' but emphasizes the action of consuming rather than the state of having none left.
Word order
Object can go between: 'use it up' or 'use up the supplies'
Similar expressions
exhaust
consume
deplete
finish
Opposites
save
conserve
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 "use up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.