use up
B1Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To consume completely; to exhaust the supply or availability of something.
To fully deplete a resource, material, time, or energy, leaving nothing remaining for further use.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to physical resources (like food, fuel, money) but can extend to abstract concepts like time, patience, or chances. Implies the thing used up is now gone or unavailable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties employ the phrasal verb identically.
Connotations
Slight connotation of wastefulness or carelessness if used in certain contexts (e.g., 'You used up all the milk!'), but generally neutral.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] uses up [something].[Something] gets used up.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Use up (all) one's chances/options.”
- “Use up the clock (in sports).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To describe exhausting a budget, inventory, or financial reserves.
Academic
To discuss the depletion of natural resources or energy.
Everyday
To talk about finishing food, supplies, or time.
Technical
In engineering/chemistry, to describe the complete consumption of a reactant or fuel.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The car uses up a lot of petrol on motorways.
- Don't use up all the printer ink.
American English
- The truck uses up a lot of gas on highways.
- Don't use up all the printer toner.
adjective
British English
- Used-up batteries should be recycled.
- A used-up gift card is worthless.
American English
- Used-up batteries should be recycled.
- A used-up gift card is worthless.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I used up all my pencils.
- She used up the milk for the cake.
- We used up all our savings on the holiday.
- The battery is used up; I need a new one.
- The project used up a considerable amount of our department's time and budget.
- His constant excuses finally used up her patience.
- The rapid industrialisation is using up non-renewable resources at an alarming rate.
- The chess player cleverly used up the clock to secure a draw.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a fuel gauge hitting 'E' for Empty. You have USED UP all the petrol.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE CONTAINERS; using up is emptying the container.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'использовать вверх'.
- Do not confuse with 'use out' (несуществующее).
- Remember it means 'израсходовать', 'истратить', 'потратить до конца'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'use' without 'up' when depletion is key (e.g., 'I used the paper' vs. 'I used up the paper').
- Confusing with 'used to' (past habit).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the meaning of 'use up'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but slightly more common in informal and everyday contexts. In formal writing, synonyms like 'deplete' or 'exhaust' might be preferred.
Yes. You can use up abstract things like time, energy, patience, luck, or opportunities.
'Use' means to employ something for a purpose. 'Use up' specifically means to use something until there is none left, completely consuming it.
Yes, 'used-up' (often hyphenated) can function as an adjective before a noun, meaning 'completely consumed or exhausted' (e.g., a used-up battery).