Phrasal verb
cost up
Definition
phrasal verb. to calculate the total price of something, especially for a project or a job.
phrasal verb. to estimate or calculate the total cost of a specific task, project, or itemized list; often used in commercial or construction contexts.
Examples
“The builder needs to cost up the materials for the new kitchen.”
“Before we agree to the renovation, we need the architect to cost up the entire project.”
“The procurement team spent three weeks costing up the various logistical options before presenting the final budget to the board of directors.”
Examples
simple
“The builder needs to cost up the materials for the new kitchen.”
contextual
“Before we agree to the renovation, we need the architect to cost up the entire project.”
complex
“The procurement team spent three weeks costing up the various logistical options before presenting the final budget to the board of directors.”
Usage
commonly used in British English and professional trades when discussing estimates.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'cost' (to have a price) and 'price up' (to find the retail price); 'cost up' implies a more detailed calculation of expenses.
Pitfall
He costed up it.
He costed it up.
when using a pronoun like 'it', the particle 'up' must follow the pronoun.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
cost + object + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cost-up