What are the definitions of “knock up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Become or get someone pregnant..
She got KNOCKED UP when she was on holiday.
- 2Play a bit before a match to get ready.
The teams KNOCKED UP for a few minutes before the final.
- 3Produce or create something quickly.
They KNOCKED a model UP over the weekend.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “knock up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb knock up is to become or get someone pregnant. It is often used in informal conversations to describe an unplanned pregnancy. For example, it can mean that a woman got pregnant unexpectedly or that a man got a woman pregnant.
What are the different verb forms of “knock up”?
| Root Verb | knock up |
| Third Person Singular Present | knocks up |
| Present Participle | knocking up |
| Simple Past | knocked up |
| Past Participle | knocked up |
Example
She knocked up her girlfriend by accident.
Example
He knocks up his partner during their vacation.
Example
They are knocking up a baby without planning it.
Example
She knocked up her partner when they were on holiday.
Example
He had knocked up his girlfriend before they got married.
What kind of phrasal verb is “knock 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
“knock 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 knocked up her partner during their vacation.
Example
He knocked up his girlfriend by accident.
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
“knock 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 knocked up her partner during their vacation.
Example
He knocked up his girlfriend by accident.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “knock up”?
Good things to know
Does “knock up” have an informal or formal tone?
Knock up is an informal phrasal verb, especially when used to describe pregnancy. It is not appropriate for formal settings or conversations. In other contexts, such as creating something quickly or warming up before a match, it can still be considered informal but may be more acceptable depending on the situation.
