# choose up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/choose-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To form (sides or teams), usually for a game, by having two individual players choose their teammates.

## Examples

- We need to choose up sides for the game.
- The kids gathered on the field to choose up teams before the soccer match started.
- The neighborhood children spent the afternoon choosing up sides for a game of baseball, carefully balancing the talent among the two groups.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.