What are the definitions of “cook up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To prepare or make something, especially food.
"I'll cook up some eggs and sausage, maybe some kidneys or black pudding?
- 2To invent or fabricate something, especially a story or excuse.
Between them they cooked up some story to tell their parents.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “cook up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb cook up is to prepare or make something, especially food. It can also mean to invent or fabricate something, like a story or an excuse.
What are the different verb forms of “cook up”?
| Root Verb | cook up |
| Third Person Singular Present | cooks up |
| Present Participle | cooking up |
| Simple Past | cooked up |
| Past Participle | cooked up |
Example
She wants to cook up a delicious meal for her family.
Example
He cooks up a tasty breakfast every morning.
Example
They are cooking up a feast for the party tonight.
Example
Yesterday, she cooked up a delicious pasta dish.
Example
The chef had cooked up an amazing meal for the guests.
What kind of phrasal verb is “cook 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
“cook 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 cooked up a delicious meal for her family.
Example
He cooked up a story to explain his absence.
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
“cook 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 cooked up a delicious meal for her family.
Example
He cooked up a story to explain his absence.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “cook up”?
Good things to know
Does “cook up” have an informal or formal tone?
Cook up is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations. In more formal settings, it is better to use alternative phrases such as 'prepare' for food or 'invent' for stories and excuses.
