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A2 · Elementary

prep. further along a road, river, or path.

prep. indicating a position further along a linear path, often toward a source or a perceived 'top' end.

“There is a small grocery store just up the street from here.”

“The research vessel travelled up the river to investigate the impact of industrial runoff near the headwaters.”

A1 · Beginner

adv. at or to a higher place.

adv. to or in a higher place or position; often used as a particle in phrasal verbs.

“She looked up at the stars through her telescope.”

“The balloon drifted up until it was nothing more than a tiny red speck against the blue sky.”

B1 · Intermediate

adv. used to show that an action is finished or done completely.

adv. used as a telic aspect marker to indicate the completion or exhaustion of an action.

“The children ate up all their vegetables so they could have dessert.”

“The fire quickly used up the remaining oxygen in the room, forcing the firefighters to retreat.”

A1 · Beginner

adj. out of bed and awake.

adj. risen from sleep or bed; no longer reclining.

“Are you up yet, or are you still sleeping?”

“He had been up since four in the morning, preparing the bakery for the early rush of commuters.”

B1 · Intermediate

adj. higher in price, amount, or level than before.

adj. indicating an increase in value, volume, or quantity relative to a previous state.

“Gas prices are up again this week because of the holiday.”

“Despite the economic downturn, the company's quarterly profits were up by nearly twelve percent.”

A2 · Elementary Informal

adj. happening or wrong.

adj. occurring or amiss; frequently used in interrogative phrases regarding a situation.

“You look very sad; what's up?”

“The manager sensed something was up when the usually talkative team became silent as she entered the room.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to make something larger or higher, like a price or a level.

v. to increase the amount, level, or value of something. Transitive use.

“The landlord decided to up the rent by fifty dollars a month.”

“The tech giant decided to up the stakes by announcing a rival product just days before the competitor's launch.”

B1 · Intermediate Plural noun

n. good times or successful moments.

n. periods of success, prosperity, or happiness; almost always paired with 'downs'.

“Every marriage has its ups and downs over the years.”

“The entrepreneur reflected on the many ups and downs of her career before finally achieving international success.”