waɪnd ʌp
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- wind
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "wind up" mean?
- To end up in a particular situation or place
- To conclude or finish something
- To tighten a spring mechanism or to make someone anxious/excited
Examples
- We wound up at a different restaurant than planned.
- Let's wind up this meeting - we've been here for hours.
- Don't forget to wind up the music box.
- Stop winding me up with your teasing!
- If you keep spending like that, you'll wind up broke.
How to use it
British English uses 'wind up' to mean teasing someone. Note: pronounced /waɪnd/ not /wɪnd/.
Word order
Depends on meaning. 'Wind up somewhere' (end up) is inseparable. 'Wind someone up' (tease) is separable.
Similar expressions
end up
conclude
finish
tense
tease
Opposites
start
begin
calm down
Related phrasal verbs
- wind down
To gradually reduce activity and relax
- 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
Use it in a practice answer
Try "wind up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.