What are the definitions of “drink up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Finish a drink.
DRINK UP, please; it's closing time.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “drink up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb drink up is to finish a drink, usually by consuming it quickly. It is often used when someone wants to encourage another person to finish their drink, especially in social situations.
What are the different verb forms of “drink up”?
| Root Verb | drink up |
| Third Person Singular Present | drinks up |
| Present Participle | drinking up |
| Simple Past | drank up |
| Past Participle | drunk up |
Example
Please drink up your coffee; we need to leave soon.
Example
He always drinks up his juice in the morning.
Example
She is drinking up her tea before it gets cold.
Example
They drank up their sodas and left the party.
Example
The guests had drunk up all the wine by the end of the night.
What kind of phrasal verb is “drink 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.)
Intransitive verb
“drink up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She drank up and left the bar.
Example
He drank up his coffee quickly.
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
“drink 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 drank up and left the bar.
Example
He drank up his coffee quickly.
Good things to know
Does “drink up” have an informal or formal tone?
Drink up is an informal phrasal verb that is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially in casual social situations. It is not typically used in formal settings or written communication.
