Phrasal verb
snarl up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
snarl up
Past
snarled up
Past participle
snarled up
Definition
phrasal verb. to cause a situation to become stuck or blocked, especially with traffic or a process.
phrasal verb. to cause a state of congestion or entanglement that prevents movement or progress. Often used in the passive voice to describe traffic conditions or bureaucratic delays.
Examples
“The heavy snow snarled up traffic for hours.”
“A minor accident on the bridge snarled up the entire morning commute, leaving thousands of drivers stranded.”
“Unexpected legal challenges snarled up the merger for months, forcing both companies to reconsider their initial timeline.”
Examples
simple
“The heavy snow snarled up traffic for hours.”
contextual
“A minor accident on the bridge snarled up the entire morning commute, leaving thousands of drivers stranded.”
complex
“Unexpected legal challenges snarled up the merger for months, forcing both companies to reconsider their initial timeline.”
Usage
commonly used in the passive form ('be snarled up') to describe the state of being stuck.
Teaching tip
help students visualize the literal meaning of 'snarl' (a knot of hair or thread) to understand how it applies to traffic or complex systems.
Pitfall
The traffic was snarl up.
The traffic was snarled up.
when used as an adjective to describe a state, the past participle 'snarled' is required.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
snarl + object + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
PHRASAL VERB
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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