# sum up

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sum-up
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to summarize

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to give a short description of the main facts or ideas of something.

For teachers: to present the main points or essence of a matter in a concise form. Often used to conclude a speech, essay, or meeting.

- To sum up, we need to reduce our spending and find new customers.
- The chairman's closing remarks served to sum up the diverse perspectives shared during the three-day symposium on urban planning.

### 2. to calculate a total

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to add up different amounts to find the total.

For teachers: 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'.

- The accountant will sum up the expenses at the end of the month.
- After the auction concluded, the clerk had to sum up the final bids to determine the total revenue generated for the charity.

## Examples

- To sum up, we need more time and money.
- At the end of the meeting, the manager summed up the main goals for the next month.
- The final chapter effectively sums up the author's complex theories on economic reform while offering a hopeful vision for the future.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'summarize' (more formal) and 'recap' (more casual/spoken); 'sum up' is versatile and works well in both academic writing and business meetings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.