What are the definitions of “staff up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Employ someone for something specific.
They haven't STAFFED the project UP yet.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “staff up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb staff up is to employ or hire people for a specific job, project, or purpose. It is often used when a company or organization needs to increase its workforce to meet a particular demand or complete a task.
What are the different verb forms of “staff up”?
| Root Verb | staff up |
| Third Person Singular Present | staffs up |
| Present Participle | staffing up |
| Simple Past | staffed up |
| Past Participle | staffed up |
Example
The company needs to staff up to handle the new project.
Example
The manager staffs up the team before the busy season starts.
Example
The organization is staffing up to meet the increased demand for their services.
Example
Last year, they staffed up quickly to complete the project on time.
Example
The department had staffed up to handle the extra workload.
What kind of phrasal verb is “staff 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
“staff 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
The company staffed up the project with experienced professionals.
Example
They staffed the project up quickly to meet the deadline.
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
“staff 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
The company staffed up the project with experienced professionals.
Example
They staffed the project up quickly to meet the deadline.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “staff up”?
Good things to know
Does “staff up” have an informal or formal tone?
Staff up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in business and workplace settings to discuss hiring or employing people for specific tasks or projects.