ring up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Upper Intermediate to Advanced)Informal, primarily spoken and conversational.
Quick answer
What does “ring up” mean?
To make a telephone call to someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a telephone call to someone.
In informal business contexts, can also mean 'to record a sale on a cash register'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Ring up' (telephone) is strongly preferred in British English. American English overwhelmingly uses 'call' for this meaning, though 'call up' exists. The cash register meaning is understood in both varieties but is not common in everyday speech.
Connotations
In British English, it's neutral and standard for informal phone calls. In American English, using 'ring up' can sound slightly British or dated.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech. Low frequency in US speech for the telephone meaning; the cash register meaning is rare in both.
Grammar
How to Use “ring up” in a Sentence
[Subject] ring up [Object][Subject] ring [Object] upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ring up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to ring up the dentist to cancel.
- She rang me up last night with the news.
American English
- He said he'd ring up the main office. (sounds British-influenced)
- Can you ring up the pizza place? (understood but less common)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"I'll ring up the supplier and check the delivery time." (UK)
Academic
Not typical.
Everyday
"Mum rang up to see how we were doing."
Technical
Not typical.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ring up”
- Using 'ring up' in formal American English contexts.
- Incorrect word order: 'I will up ring you' (should be 'I will ring you up').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's primarily informal and conversational.
It will be understood, but 'call' is the standard, neutral choice. Using 'ring up' may sound British.
In British English, they are often interchangeable for phoning. 'Ring up' can sometimes emphasize the act of initiating the call.
It's a specific meaning: to record a transaction on a cash register, literally by pressing buttons that often make a ringing sound. This is not related to telephoning.
To make a telephone call to someone.
Ring up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɪŋ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɪŋ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ring up the curtain (on something) - to mark the start of an event (theatrical origin, different meaning).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sound of an old-fashioned telephone bell RINGing when you pick UP the receiver to make a call.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS CONNECTION (establishing a link via a circuit).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'ring up' (for telephoning) most commonly used?