ENGLISH
REFERENCE

coop up

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to keep a person or animal in a small space for a long time so they cannot move freely.

phr. v.. to confine a person or animal in a restricted or cramped space; often used in the passive voice to describe the resulting feeling of frustration or restlessness.


SIMPLE

The rain kept the children cooped up inside all day.

CONTEXTUAL

After being cooped up in a tiny office for eight hours, I really need to go for a walk.

COMPLEX

The livestock were cooped up in narrow pens during the storm, leading to significant distress among the herd.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
coop + object + up
Usage

most commonly used as a past participle ('be cooped up') or with the verb 'keep'.

Teaching tip

the word comes from 'coop' (a small cage for chickens), which helps students visualize the sense of being trapped in a small, uncomfortable space.

Pitfall

I was coop up in my room.I was cooped up in my room.when used as an adjective to describe a state, the past participle form 'cooped' is required.

© 2026 English Reference