sum up
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to give a short description of the main facts or ideas of something.
to present the main points or essence of a matter in a concise form. Often used to conclude a speech, essay, or meeting.
Simple“To sum up, we need to reduce our spending and find new customers.”
In context“The chairman's closing remarks served to sum up the diverse perspectives shared during the three-day symposium on urban planning.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to add up different amounts to find the total.
to calculate the total of a series of numbers or quantities. Transitive when an object is present, though often used with 'everything' or 'it all'.
Simple“The accountant will sum up the expenses at the end of the month.”
In context“After the auction concluded, the clerk had to sum up the final bids to determine the total revenue generated for the charity.”
contrast with 'summarize' (more formal) and 'recap' (more casual/spoken); 'sum up' is versatile and works well in both academic writing and business meetings.