# end up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/end-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to reach a place or situation that you did not plan or expect.

For teachers: to arrive at a final state, condition, or location, often as the result of a series of unplanned events or decisions.

## Examples

- We got lost and end up at a small village.
- If you don't start saving money now, you might end up with nothing when you retire.
- Despite his initial ambition to become a professional musician, he ended up managing a successful software company in the suburbs.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He ended up to live in Spain." but "He ended up living in Spain." — when followed by another verb, 'end up' requires the -ing form, not the infinitive.

## Usage notes

- often followed by a prepositional phrase, an adjective, or a verb ending in -ing.
- Teaching tip: highlight that 'end up' focuses on the final result of a journey or process, often implying the outcome was accidental or surprising.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.