What are the definitions of “gobble up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To eat quickly and eagerly.
I wonder if this will be enough of an incentive for kids to gobble up those horrible greens.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “gobble up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb gobble up is to eat something quickly and eagerly. It is often used to describe someone who is very hungry or enjoys the food they are eating.
What are the different verb forms of “gobble up”?
| Root Verb | gobble up |
| Third Person Singular Present | gobbles up |
| Present Participle | gobbling up |
| Simple Past | gobbled up |
| Past Participle | gobbled up |
Example
He always gobbles up his dinner in just a few minutes.
Example
She gobbles up her dessert as soon as it is served.
Example
The kids are gobbling up their snacks after school.
Example
Yesterday, they gobbled up the entire pizza in no time.
Example
The cake was gobbled up before anyone else could have a slice.
What kind of phrasal verb is “gobble 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
“gobble 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
He gobbled up his sandwich.
Example
She gobbled the pizza up 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
“gobble 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
He gobbled up his sandwich.
Example
She gobbled the pizza up quickly.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “gobble up”?
Gobble up resources
To use a large amount of resources quickly or wastefully.
Example
The new factory is gobbling up the town's water supply.
To learn or absorb information quickly and eagerly.
Example
She gobbles up new information in her field of study.
Good things to know
Does “gobble up” have an informal or formal tone?
Gobble up is an informal phrasal verb that is commonly used in everyday conversations. It is not typically used in formal writing or professional settings. Instead, more formal synonyms such as 'consume' or 'devour' may be used.
