What are the definitions of “grass up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Report someone to a person in authority.
She didn't to GRASS them UP, even though they'd been bullying her badly.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “grass up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb grass up is to report someone to a person in authority, such as the police or a teacher. It is often used when someone tells on another person for doing something wrong or breaking the rules.
What are the different verb forms of “grass up”?
| Root Verb | grass up |
| Third Person Singular Present | grasses up |
| Present Participle | grassing up |
| Simple Past | grassed up |
| Past Participle | grassed up |
Example
I don't want to grass up my friend, but he broke the rules.
Example
She grasses up the bullies to the teacher.
Example
He is grassing up the thief to the police.
Example
Yesterday, they grassed up the rule-breakers to the principal.
Example
The criminals were grassed up by an informant.
What kind of phrasal verb is “grass 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
“grass 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 grassed up the thief to the police.
Example
She grassed the bullies up to the teacher.
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
“grass 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 grassed up the thief to the police.
Example
She grassed the bullies up to the teacher.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “grass up”?
Good things to know
Does “grass up” have an informal or formal tone?
Grass up is an informal phrasal verb, mainly used in British English. It is more common in casual conversations and not suitable for formal settings. In formal situations, you can use alternatives like 'report' or 'inform on' instead.
