Phrasal verb
box up
Definition
phrasal verb. to put things into boxes so you can move them or store them away.
phrasal verb. to place items into containers for the purpose of transport or storage; often implies a systematic clearing of a space.
Examples
“We need to box up these old books.”
“After she lost her job, she spent the whole weekend boxing up her office supplies.”
“The archivists spent months boxing up the delicate manuscripts to ensure their preservation during the museum's extensive renovation project.”
Examples
simple
“We need to box up these old books.”
contextual
“After she lost her job, she spent the whole weekend boxing up her office supplies.”
complex
“The archivists spent months boxing up the delicate manuscripts to ensure their preservation during the museum's extensive renovation project.”
Usage
commonly used when moving house or putting items into a garage or attic.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'pack', which is more general; 'box up' specifically focuses on the use of boxes as the container.
Pitfall
I boxed up them.
I boxed them up.
when using a pronoun like 'them' or 'it', the pronoun must go between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
box + (object) + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/box-up