What are the definitions of “hitch up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Pull up or raise (something, especially clothing) quickly or tightly.
She hitched up her skirt and ran.
- 2To attach or connect.
They can just hitch up their horses and head off.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hitch up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hitch up is to pull up or raise something quickly or tightly, often referring to clothing. It can also mean to attach or connect something, such as a trailer to a vehicle or a horse to a carriage.
What are the different verb forms of “hitch up”?
| Root Verb | hitch up |
| Third Person Singular Present | hitches up |
| Present Participle | hitching up |
| Simple Past | hitched up |
| Past Participle | hitched up |
Example
She needs to hitch up her pants before they fall down.
Example
He hitches up his socks every morning.
Example
She is hitching up her dress to avoid stepping on it.
Example
He hitched up the trailer to the truck before leaving.
Example
The horse was hitched up to the carriage for the parade.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hitch 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
“hitch 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 hitched up her skirt to climb the stairs.
Example
He hitched the trailer up to the car.
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
“hitch 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 hitched up her skirt to climb the stairs.
Example
He hitched the trailer up to the car.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hitch up”?
Good things to know
Does “hitch up” have an informal or formal tone?
Hitch up is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, when discussing attaching a trailer to a vehicle, it can have a more formal tone. However, when referring to pulling up clothing, it is considered more informal.
