wrap up
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To finish or conclude something completely.
1) To put on warm clothing; 2) To cover or enclose something in packaging; 3) To summarize or finalize (e.g., a meeting, a deal).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a phrasal verb, it is separable ('wrap the meeting up' / 'wrap up the meeting'). The meaning is highly dependent on context (clothing, conclusion, packaging).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the context of concluding a meeting or event, both use it. 'Wrap up warm' is more common in UK English for dressing warmly.
Connotations
Neutral in both, implying efficient completion.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in business/casual UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[wrap up] + (something)[wrap] + (something) + [up][wrap up] + warm/wellVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wrap it up”
- “wrap up warm”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to signal the end of a meeting or to finalize a deal.
Academic
Used informally to conclude a presentation or lecture summary.
Everyday
Common for finishing tasks, dressing warmly, or packaging items.
Technical
Not typical; more project-management jargon for completion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Let's wrap up this meeting by 5 PM.
- You should wrap up warm before going out.
- I need to wrap up the report tonight.
American English
- We'll wrap up the negotiations tomorrow.
- Make sure to wrap up the leftovers.
- He wrapped up his speech with a quote.
adjective
British English
- The wrap-up session was brief.
- She gave a quick wrap-up summary.
American English
- The wrap-up meeting is at four.
- His wrap-up comments were insightful.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We will wrap up the party soon.
- Wrap up your sandwich in foil.
- The manager decided to wrap up the discussion.
- Don't forget to wrap up warm, it's cold outside.
- After months of talks, they finally wrapped up the merger deal.
- The presenter wrapped up her argument convincingly.
- The investigative team aims to wrap up all loose ends before the deadline.
- He masterfully wrapped up the complex lecture with a unifying theme.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine wrapping a present with a bow on top—the final act is to 'wrap it up,' signifying completion.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETION IS ENCLOSURE (like a package being sealed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'обернуть вверх'. For 'conclude', use 'завершить'. For 'dress warmly', use 'одеться потеплее'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wrap up' for starting something (semantic error). Confusing with 'warm up'. Incorrect particle order: 'wrap up it' instead of 'wrap it up'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'wrap up' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal but acceptable in casual business contexts. For very formal writing, use 'conclude' or 'finalize'.
Only in the context of dressing them warmly (e.g., 'wrap up the children') or figuratively in entertainment ('the host wrapped up the audience with his story'). Not for physically covering a person like a parcel.
'Wrap-up' (hyphenated) is used as a noun or adjective, e.g., 'a quick wrap-up of the news'.
'Wrap up' focuses on finishing an activity or process. 'Sum up' focuses on giving a concise summary of main points, often as part of concluding.