Phrasal verb
straighten up
Definition
phrasal verb. to make a place tidy or to stand in a more upright position. You use this when you want to fix a messy room or improve your posture.
phrasal verb. to make a place neat by tidying; alternatively, to assume an erect posture. The tidying sense is often used intransitively or with a direct object, while the postural sense is typically intransitive.
Examples
“I need to straighten up the living room before the guests arrive.”
“After slouching in his chair for an hour, he straightened up when his boss walked into the office.”
“The housekeeper spent the afternoon straightening up the library, meticulously returning every stray volume to its designated shelf.”
Examples
simple
“I need to straighten up the living room before the guests arrive.”
contextual
“After slouching in his chair for an hour, he straightened up when his boss walked into the office.”
complex
“The housekeeper spent the afternoon straightening up the library, meticulously returning every stray volume to its designated shelf.”
Usage
when used for tidying, it is often separable; when referring to posture, it is always intransitive.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'tidy up' (more common in British English) and 'clean up' (which implies washing or scrubbing); 'straighten up' focuses on order and alignment.
Pitfall
I need to straighten up of my desk.
I need to straighten up my desk.
the verb takes a direct object without the preposition 'of'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
straighten + up (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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