What does the phrasal verb “feed up” mean?

What are the definitions of “feed up”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Give someone a lot of food to restore their health, make them bigger, etc.

  She's been ill for a fortnight so we're FEEDING her UP.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “feed up”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb feed up is to give someone a lot of food to help them regain their health, increase their weight, or make them stronger. It is often used when someone has been sick or weak and needs to recover.

What are the different verb forms of “feed up”?

Root Verb	feed up
Third Person Singular Present	feeds up
Present Participle	feeding up
Simple Past	fed up
Past Participle	fed up

Example

We need to feed up the puppy to help it grow strong.

Example

She feeds up her children with nutritious meals.

Example

He is feeding up his sick friend to help him recover.

Example

They fed up the weak animal until it was healthy again.

Example

The patient was fed up with healthy food during their recovery.

What kind of phrasal verb is “feed up”?

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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

“feed 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 fed up her sick friend with homemade soup.

Example

He fed the puppy up with nutritious food.

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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

“feed 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 fed up her sick friend with homemade soup.

Example

He fed the puppy up with nutritious food.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “feed up”?

Feed up with

To provide someone with a lot of food, often to help them recover or gain weight.

Example

After her surgery, her family fed her up with healthy meals.

Good things to know

Does “feed up” have an informal or formal tone?

Feed up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal discussions about health, nutrition, or recovery.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “feed up”?

Synonyms

• nourish
• sustain
• strengthen
• fortify
• nurse
• fatten up

Antonyms

• starve
• deprive
• weaken
• undernourish
• malnourish