double up
phr. v..phr. v.. to share something with another person because there is not enough for everyone to have their own. You might do this with a desk, a room, or a book.
phr. v.. to share a space, resource, or facility intended for one person with another; often used in contexts of limited supply or overcrowding.
We don't have enough books, so please double up with a partner.
The hotel was fully booked, so the two colleagues had to double up in a twin room.
As the refugee numbers swelled, families were forced to double up in small apartments originally designed for single occupants.
- Particles
- up
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- double + up (+ with + object / + in + object)
often followed by the preposition 'with' to indicate the partner or 'in' to indicate the space.
contrast with 'pair up' which focuses on working together; 'double up' focuses on the lack of resources or space.
We doubled up the room.We doubled up in the room.when referring to the space being shared, use the preposition 'in' rather than using the space as a direct object.