English Reference

Phrasal verb

choose up

Definition

phrasal verb. to form teams for a game by picking players one by one. You use this when you and your friends want to start a match and need to decide who is on which side.

phrasal verb. To form teams or sides for a competition by selecting players from a pool of participants. Often used intransitively or with 'sides' as the direct object.

Examples

“The children choose up sides for a game of soccer.”

“Every Friday afternoon, the neighborhood kids meet at the park to choose up sides for a friendly game of baseball.”

“In the absence of formal rosters, the two most experienced players were designated as captains and tasked to choose up sides from the gathered crowd.”

Examples

simple

“The children choose up sides for a game of soccer.”

contextual

“Every Friday afternoon, the neighborhood kids meet at the park to choose up sides for a friendly game of baseball.”

complex

“In the absence of formal rosters, the two most experienced players were designated as captains and tasked to choose up sides from the gathered crowd.”

Usage

The phrase is most common in American English and usually refers to informal sports or playground games.

Teaching tip

Explain that 'up' functions as a completive particle here, indicating the full organization of a group into teams, similar to 'team up'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

choose + up (+ object)

Synonyms

pick sidesform teamspick

Antonyms

disband

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference