Differences between look up and swallow up
Look up means to search for information in a reference source or to admire something or someone by looking up, while swallow up means to engulf or absorb something completely.
Meanings and Definitions: look up vs swallow up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Look up
- 1Consult a reference work ( dictionary, phonebook, etc. ) for a specific piece of information..
I didn't know the correct spelling so I had to LOOK it UP in the dictionary.
- 2Improve.
The economy is LOOKING UP.
- 3Find, trace an old friend.
I LOOKED him UP when I went back to Cambridge.
Swallow up
- 1To use or take up a large amount of something, especially money.
But a sizeable portion of the profits were swallowed up in capital gains tax.
- 2To be taken over or absorbed by something larger or more powerful.
The company was swallowed up in a corporate merger.
- 3To completely engulf or consume.
The whole building was swallowed up by flames.
Usage Examples: look up, swallow up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
look up
Example
When I don't know a word, I look it up in the dictionary.
Example
She looks up new recipes online every week.
swallow up
Example
The project swallowed up most of our budget.
Example
The new software update swallows up a lot of memory on the computer.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Look up
To seek advice or information from a reference source.
Example
I need to consult the dictionary to check the meaning of this word.
To investigate or study a subject in detail to discover new facts or information.
Example
She spent months researching the history of her family tree.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Swallow up
To surround or cover something completely.
Example
The flames quickly engulfed the entire building.
To take in or soak up something completely.
Example
The sponge absorbed all the water in the sink.
To eat or drink something completely.
Example
He consumed the entire pizza by himself in just a few minutes.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “look”
Differences in look up vs swallow up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: look up or swallow up?
In daily conversation, people use look up more often than swallow up. This is because look up is used for more common tasks such as searching for information online or in a dictionary. Swallow up is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about something being consumed or absorbed. So, while both phrases are used, look up is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of look up and swallow up
Look up and swallow up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of look up and swallow up
The tone of look up and swallow up can differ based on context. Look up often carries a curious or admiring tone when related to searching for information or admiring someone or something, while swallow up typically has a dramatic or negative tone, especially when referring to something being consumed or absorbed completely.
