English Reference

Phrasal verb

shut up

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

shut up

Past

shut-up

Past participle

shut-up

Definition

phrasal verb. to stop talking or to make someone else be quiet. You should use this carefully because it can sound very rude or angry.

phrasal verb. to cease speaking or to silence another person. It is frequently used as an imperative and is marked by a high degree of informality and potential rudeness.

Examples

“Please just shut up and let me finish.”

“The children were making so much noise that their father finally told them to shut up.”

“Although the politician tried to shut up his critics with a series of legal threats, the scandal continued to dominate the headlines for weeks.”

Examples

simple

“Please just shut up and let me finish.”

contextual

“The children were making so much noise that their father finally told them to shut up.”

complex

“Although the politician tried to shut up his critics with a series of legal threats, the scandal continued to dominate the headlines for weeks.”

Usage

often used as a blunt command and can be offensive depending on the relationship between speakers.

Teaching tip

mention that in very informal American English, 'Shut up!' can express surprise or disbelief, similar to 'No way!'.

Pitfall

He shutted up when the boss arrived.

He shut up when the boss arrived.

The verb 'shut' is irregular and does not change form in the past tense.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

shut + (object) + up

Synonyms

be quiethushpipe downsilence

Antonyms

speak uptalk

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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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