What are the definitions of “bottle up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Not express your feelings.
She BOTTLED UP her feelings even though she was furious with them and kept quiet.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “bottle up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb bottle up is to not express your feelings or emotions, especially when you are upset or angry. Instead of talking about your feelings, you keep them inside.
What are the different verb forms of “bottle up”?
| Root Verb | bottle up |
| Third Person Singular Present | bottles up |
| Present Participle | bottling up |
| Simple Past | bottled up |
| Past Participle | bottled up |
Example
He always bottles up his emotions and never talks about his problems.
Example
She bottles up her feelings when she is upset.
Example
He is bottling up his anger instead of discussing the issue.
Example
Yesterday, she bottled up her frustration and didn't say anything.
Example
His emotions had been bottled up for years before he finally talked to a therapist.
What kind of phrasal verb is “bottle up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“bottle up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She bottled up her feelings.
Example
He bottled his anger up and didn't say anything.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“bottle up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She bottled up her feelings.
Example
He bottled his anger up and didn't say anything.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “bottle up”?
Bottle up feelings
Not expressing your feelings or emotions, especially when you are upset or angry.
Example
She bottled up her feelings and didn't tell anyone how she really felt.
Good things to know
Does “bottle up” have an informal or formal tone?
Bottle up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in a professional or academic context.
