English Reference

Phrasal verb

pile up

Definition

phrasal verb. To increase in amount until there is a lot to deal with. You use this when things like work, mail, or laundry become too much.

phrasal verb. To accumulate or increase in quantity, often to an unmanageable degree. The verb functions both intransitively to describe the growth of a stack and transitively to describe the act of stacking.

Examples

“The dirty dishes are starting to pile up in the kitchen.”

“If you ignore your emails for a week, they will pile up and become very difficult to manage.”

“The evidence against the defendant continued to pile up as more witnesses came forward to testify about the events of that night.”

Examples

simple

“The dirty dishes are starting to pile up in the kitchen.”

contextual

“If you ignore your emails for a week, they will pile up and become very difficult to manage.”

complex

“The evidence against the defendant continued to pile up as more witnesses came forward to testify about the events of that night.”

Usage

Commonly used with nouns representing tasks or burdens, such as 'work', 'emails', or 'debt'.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'build up', which can be positive (muscles) or negative (tension), whereas 'pile up' is almost always used for things that feel like a burden.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

pile (+ object) + up

Synonyms

collectincreaseaccumulatebuild up

Antonyms

cleardecreasedwindle

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

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 Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference