tank up
C1Informal, Colloquial
Definition
Meaning
to fill the fuel tank of a vehicle completely.
To consume a large amount of food or drink, especially in preparation for something or to excess.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to refuelling vehicles; the extended meaning of consuming food/drink is figurative and casual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English as a phrasal verb. In British English, 'fill up' is more frequent for refuelling, though 'tank up' is understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, informal and direct. The figurative 'consume food/drink' sense is more strongly American.
Frequency
American English uses it more readily. In British English, it has a slight American flavour but is used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + tank up + [Direct Object: vehicle] + (at [Location])[Subject] + tank up + (on [Food/Drink])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tank up on coffee (figurative)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used in formal business contexts; may appear in logistics or transport planning informally.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about travel and preparing for journeys.
Technical
Used in casual technical talk among drivers, mechanics, or in motoring journalism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We'd better tank up the van before we hit the motorway; petrol stations are sparse further north.
- He tanked up on a full English breakfast to see him through the morning.
American English
- Let's tank up at this gas station; prices are lower in this state.
- The team tanked up on coffee before the all-night coding session.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We need to tank up the car.
- We stopped to tank up before the long drive through the desert.
- It's wise to tank up on fuel before entering remote areas with few service stations.
- The cyclists tanked up on carbohydrates the night before the race, a practice known as carb-loading.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a military TANK being filled UP to the brim with fuel before a mission. The phrase sounds robust and complete.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A VEHICLE (for the figurative sense: e.g., 'tanking up on carbs' before a race).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'танковать' (to tank/play a tank in a game) or 'танк' as military vehicle. The phrasal verb is purely about filling with fuel.
- Literal translation 'заправлять бак' is understood, but the phrasal verb is the natural English idiom.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I need to tank my car.' Correct: 'I need to tank UP my car.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'tank up with petrol' is less common than 'tank up on petrol' (UK) or 'tank up with gas' (US).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tank up' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal. Use 'refuel' or 'fill up' in more formal or neutral contexts.
Yes, it can be used for any vehicle with a fuel tank (truck, motorcycle, boat). Figuratively, it can mean to eat or drink a lot.
They are largely synonymous for refuelling. 'Tank up' is slightly more informal and vivid, emphasizing the action on the tank itself. 'Fill up' is more general and common.
Yes. Example: 'We tanked up an hour ago.'