What are the definitions of “book up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Reserve.
The flight's fully BOOKED UP; I'll have to go the following day.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “book up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb book up is to reserve something, such as a hotel room, a flight, or a table at a restaurant. When something is booked up, it means that all the available spaces or reservations have been taken.
What are the different verb forms of “book up”?
| Root Verb | book up |
| Third Person Singular Present | books up |
| Present Participle | booking up |
| Simple Past | booked up |
| Past Participle | booked up |
Example
I need to book up a hotel room for our vacation.
Example
She books up her appointments weeks in advance.
Example
The popular restaurant is booking up quickly for Valentine's Day.
Example
We booked up all the available seats for the concert.
Example
The hotel was booked up months before the event.
What kind of phrasal verb is “book 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
“book 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
I booked up a table at the restaurant.
Example
She booked up a flight for her vacation.
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
“book 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
I booked up a table at the restaurant.
Example
She booked up a flight for her vacation.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “book up”?
Fully booked up
When all available spaces or reservations have been taken.
Example
The hotel is fully booked up for the holiday weekend.
Good things to know
Does “book up” have an informal or formal tone?
Book up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as business meetings or official correspondence.
