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Phrasal verbs "fess up" vs "sum up"

Differences between fess up and sum up

Fess up means to confess or admit to something, usually a wrongdoing or mistake. Sum up means to give a brief summary or overview of something.

Meanings and Definitions: fess up vs sum up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Fess up

  • 1Confess, admit something reluctantly.

    The company FESSED UP after they were exposed in the newspapers.

  • 2Give.

    FESS UP your share of the bill.

Sum up

  • 1Summarise.

    At the end of the lecture, she SUMMED UP the main points again.

Usage Examples: fess up, sum up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

fess up

Example

I know you broke the vase, so just fess up and apologize.

Example

He always fesses up when he realizes he's been caught.

sum up

Example

Can you sum up the main points of the meeting?

Example

He sums up the news article in a few sentences.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fess up

come clean

To confess or admit to something that was previously hidden or kept secret.

Example

After being caught, he decided to come clean and tell the truth about what happened.

own up to

To take responsibility for something, usually a mistake or wrongdoing.

Example

It's important to own up to your mistakes and learn from them instead of blaming others.

confess to

To admit or acknowledge something that was previously hidden or kept secret, usually a wrongdoing or mistake.

Example

He finally decided to confess to stealing the money from the cash register.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Sum up

give an overview

To provide a general summary or description of something.

Example

Can you give me an overview of the main points in the presentation?

recap

To summarize or review the main points or events of something.

Example

Let's recap what we discussed in the meeting to make sure we're all on the same page.

outline

To give a brief summary or description of the main points or structure of something.

Example

Before starting the project, she decided to outline the key steps and milestones.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “fess”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in fess up vs sum up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: fess up or sum up?

In daily conversation, people use sum up more often than fess up. This is because sum up is used in various contexts such as work, school, and personal life to provide a concise explanation or conclusion. Fess up is less common and usually used in situations where someone needs to confess or admit to something they did wrong.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of fess up and sum up

Sum up is a neutral phrase that can be used in both formal and informal settings. Fess up is an informal phrase that is mainly used in casual conversations with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of fess up and sum up

The tone of fess up and sum up can differ based on context. Fess up often carries a serious or guilty tone when related to admitting to a mistake or wrongdoing, while sum up typically has a factual and objective tone, especially when referring to summarizing information or events.

fess up & sum up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Fess up

Synonyms

Antonyms

Sum up

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