Phrasal verb
summon up
Definition
phrasal verb. to find a quality in yourself, like courage or strength, when you really need it. You use this when you have to work hard to feel brave or energetic.
phrasal verb. to exert significant effort to produce a particular quality or reaction from within oneself. Often used with abstract nouns representing internal resources such as courage, strength, or energy.
Examples
“I had to summon up the courage to speak.”
“She managed to summon up enough energy to finish the race despite her exhaustion.”
“The witness struggled to summon up the painful memories required for her testimony during the cross-examination.”
Examples
simple
“I had to summon up the courage to speak.”
contextual
“She managed to summon up enough energy to finish the race despite her exhaustion.”
complex
“The witness struggled to summon up the painful memories required for her testimony during the cross-examination.”
Usage
The object is almost always an abstract noun representing an internal emotion or capacity.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'summon' (to officially call someone to a place); 'summon up' emphasizes the internal struggle to find a hidden or depleted resource.
Pitfall
He summoned up to ask her out.
He summoned up the courage to ask her out.
The verb is transitive and requires an object, usually an abstract noun like courage or strength.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
summon + up + object
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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