Phrasal verb
dish up
Informal
Definition
phrasal verb. to put food onto plates so that people can eat it.
phrasal verb. to serve food by portioning it from a larger container onto individual plates; can also be used figuratively to describe the presentation of information or entertainment.
Examples
“Dinner is ready, so I will dish up now.”
“The chef began to dish up the main course as soon as the guests were seated.”
“The media outlet continues to dish up sensationalist headlines to attract younger viewers who are increasingly skeptical of traditional news.”
Examples
simple
“Dinner is ready, so I will dish up now.”
contextual
“The chef began to dish up the main course as soon as the guests were seated.”
complex
“The media outlet continues to dish up sensationalist headlines to attract younger viewers who are increasingly skeptical of traditional news.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dish up” in context.
Verb
01. dish up a meal
“The chef managed to dish up a three-course meal in under thirty minutes.”
verb + noun
02. dish up and serve
“Once the stew is thick enough, you can dish up and serve it with crusty bread.”
verb + and + verb
03. dish up generous portions
“The school cafeteria staff always dish up generous portions of mashed potatoes.”
verb + adj + noun
04. dish up the dinner
“Could you help me dish up the dinner while I get the drinks ready?”
verb + noun
05. dish up the food for the guests
“She started to dish up the food for the guests as soon as they sat down.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
06. neatly dish up
“The waiter took care to neatly dish up the risotto so it looked professional.”
adv + verb
07. quickly dish up
“We need to quickly dish up before the food gets cold.”
adv + verb
Usage
often used when serving a meal at home or in a casual setting.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'serve' (more formal/general) and 'plate up' (more professional/culinary); the figurative use often implies that the thing being 'dished up' is of low quality or easily consumed.
Pitfall
He dished the soup up the bowls.
He dished the soup into the bowls.
while 'dish up' means to serve, you still need 'into' or 'onto' to specify the destination container.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
dish + (object) + up
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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