Phrasal verb
round up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
round up
Past
rounded up
Past participle
rounded up
Definition
phrasal verb. To find and gather a group of people or things together in one place. You use this when you need to collect everyone for a task or event.
phrasal verb. To collect or gather together people, animals, or items that are scattered. Transitive; the particle 'up' indicates completion or the formation of a single group.
Examples
“The teacher rounds up the students after the break.”
“The rancher had to round up the cattle before the storm arrived late in the afternoon.”
“After the unexpected announcement, security personnel were instructed to round up all remaining visitors and escort them toward the main exit.”
Examples
simple
“The teacher rounds up the students after the break.”
contextual
“The rancher had to round up the cattle before the storm arrived late in the afternoon.”
complex
“After the unexpected announcement, security personnel were instructed to round up all remaining visitors and escort them toward the main exit.”
Usage
This verb usually takes a plural object representing people or animals that are spread out.
Teaching tip
Use the image of a cowboy gathering cows to help students remember the 'gathering from a distance' nuance.
Pitfall
The police rounded up them.
The police rounded them up.
When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
round + up + object
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
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/round-up