# boot up

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/boot-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to start a computer or electronic device so it is ready to use.

For teachers: to initiate the loading of an operating system into a computer's main memory, making the hardware functional.

## Examples

- Wait a moment while my laptop boots up.
- The office computers take a long time to boot up because they are quite old.
- After the power outage, the server failed to boot up correctly, requiring a manual restart from the system administrator.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to boot up to my computer." but "I need to boot up my computer." — the verb takes a direct object without an extra preposition like 'to'.

## Usage notes

- can be used with or without an object; if used with an object, it is separable.
- Teaching tip: explain the origin from 'pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps' to help students remember the term for a self-starting process.

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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.