What are the definitions of “wind up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Close a company because it's unprofitable.
The company was WOUND UP when the creditors demanded payment.
- 2Tighten the spring in a watch or clock to make it work.
I forgot to WIND UP my alarm clock and overslept.
- 3Irritate someone or increase their stress level, especially if done deliberately.
The children are really WINDING me UP.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wind up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wind up is to tighten the spring in a watch or clock to make it work. For example, it can mean winding a mechanical watch or an alarm clock to ensure it keeps time.
What are the different verb forms of “wind up”?
| Root Verb | wind up |
| Third Person Singular Present | winds up |
| Present Participle | winding up |
| Simple Past | wound up |
| Past Participle | wound up |
Example
Don't forget to wind up your watch before you go to bed.
Example
She winds up her alarm clock every night.
Example
He is winding up the clock in the living room.
Example
Yesterday, they wound up all the clocks in the house.
Example
The old clock had been wound up and was ticking loudly.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wind 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
“wind 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 wound up her alarm clock.
Example
He wound the company up due to financial problems.
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
“wind 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 wound up her alarm clock.
Example
He wound the company up due to financial problems.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wind up”?
Good things to know
Does “wind up” have an informal or formal tone?
Wind up is generally considered neutral to informal in tone. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the specific context. For instance, when discussing the closure of a company, wind up can have a more formal tone. However, in most cases, wind up is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
