What are the definitions of “carve up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Divide into smaller pieces.
They CARVED the company UP and sold a lot off.
- 2Overtake someone and then pull directly in front of a car.
The idiot CARVED us UP and forced me to brake hard.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “carve up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb carve up is to divide something into smaller pieces. This can refer to cutting food into smaller portions or dividing a larger entity, such as a company, into smaller parts.
What are the different verb forms of “carve up”?
| Root Verb | carve up |
| Third Person Singular Present | carves up |
| Present Participle | carving up |
| Simple Past | carved up |
| Past Participle | carved up |
Example
The chef will carve up the roast for dinner.
Example
She carves up the cake into equal slices.
Example
He is carving up the watermelon for the party.
Example
Yesterday, they carved up the company and sold off the divisions.
Example
The turkey was carved up and served to the guests.
What kind of phrasal verb is “carve 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
“carve 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
The chef carved up the roast for dinner.
Example
They carved the company up and sold off the divisions.
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
“carve 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
The chef carved up the roast for dinner.
Example
They carved the company up and sold off the divisions.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “carve up”?
Good things to know
Does “carve up” have an informal or formal tone?
Carve up is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in everyday conversations. In more formal settings, alternative phrases such as 'divide,' 'split,' or 'partition' may be more appropriate.
