Phrasal verb
sober up
Definition
phrasal verb. to become less drunk or to make someone else become less drunk. You use this when someone needs to get their clear mind back after drinking alcohol.
phrasal verb. to become or cause to become sober after a period of intoxication. The verb functions both intransitively (the subject recovers) and transitively (an external factor or time causes the object to recover).
Examples
“I need to drink some water and sober up before I go home.”
“After the wild party, he spent two hours walking around the park to sober up before his parents arrived.”
“The cold morning air and a strong cup of black coffee did little to sober up the exhausted revellers after their night of excess.”
Examples
simple
“I need to drink some water and sober up before I go home.”
contextual
“After the wild party, he spent two hours walking around the park to sober up before his parents arrived.”
complex
“The cold morning air and a strong cup of black coffee did little to sober up the exhausted revellers after their night of excess.”
Usage
often used with 'a bit' or 'quickly'; when transitive, the object can sit between the verb and particle.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'dry out', which refers to a long-term recovery from alcoholism rather than a short-term recovery from a single night of drinking.
Pitfall
He needs to sober himself.
He needs to sober up.
the particle 'up' is required to complete the phrasal verb meaning of recovering from intoxication.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
sober (+ object) + up
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 C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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