Phrasal verb
stay up
Meanings
to remain awake and not go to bed
to keep watching or doing an activity late into the night
Definition
To stay up means to remain awake and not go to bed at the usual time.
To stay up is to continue being awake, especially later than you normally would. People often stay up to finish work, study, talk with friends, or watch something. It can also mean remaining out of bed during the night.
Examples
- I stayed up to finish my presentation.
- You can stay up a little later on the weekend.
- He stayed up all night watching the storm from his window.
- She stayed up talking with her sister on the phone.
- They stayed up late to set up the decorations.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "stay up" when they mean "wake up" (stop sleeping), but "stay up" means not going to bed or not sleeping yet.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.