What are the definitions of “heat up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make food hot.
He HEATED the soup UP in the microwave.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “heat up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb heat up is to make food hot, usually by using a microwave, oven, or stove. It is often used when warming up leftovers or preparing a quick meal.
What are the different verb forms of “heat up”?
| Root Verb | heat up |
| Third Person Singular Present | heats up |
| Present Participle | heating up |
| Simple Past | heated up |
| Past Participle | heated up |
Example
I need to heat up my lunch before eating it.
Example
She heats up her dinner in the microwave.
Example
He is heating up some soup on the stove.
Example
Yesterday, they heated up the leftovers for lunch.
Example
The food was heated up and ready to eat.
What kind of phrasal verb is “heat 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
“heat 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 heated up the pizza in the oven.
Example
He heated the soup up in the microwave.
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
“heat 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 heated up the pizza in the oven.
Example
He heated the soup up in the microwave.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “heat up”?
Heat up in a competition
To become more competitive or intense.
Example
The race heated up as the runners approached the finish line.
Good things to know
Does “heat up” have an informal or formal tone?
Heat up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in written instructions or recipes.
