What are the definitions of “shack up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Live with someone when you are in a relationship..
They SHACKED UP a few months after they started going out.
- 2Live somewhere temporarily.
We had to SHACK UP with friends while our house was being decorated.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “shack up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb shack up is to live with someone when you are in a romantic relationship. It often implies living together without being married or in a more casual, non-committed relationship.
What are the different verb forms of “shack up”?
| Root Verb | shack up |
| Third Person Singular Present | shacks up |
| Present Participle | shacking up |
| Simple Past | shacked up |
| Past Participle | shacked up |
Example
They decided to shack up after dating for six months.
Example
She shacks up with her boyfriend during the weekends.
Example
They are shacking up at her place while they look for a new apartment.
Example
He shacked up with his girlfriend for a few months before they got married.
Example
They had shacked up for a year before deciding to move to a bigger place.
What kind of phrasal verb is “shack 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.)
Intransitive verb
“shack up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
They shacked up a few months after they started going out.
Example
We had to shack up with friends while our house was being decorated.
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
“shack 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
They shacked up a few months after they started going out.
Example
We had to shack up with friends while our house was being decorated.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “shack up”?
Good things to know
Does “shack up” have an informal or formal tone?
Shack up is an informal phrasal verb and is not typically used in formal settings or writing. It is more appropriate for casual conversations and informal contexts.
