Skip to main content

free up — to make something available by removing what is using or blocking it

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to make something available by removing what is using or blocking it

Pronunciation (IPA): /friː ʌp/

Example Sentences

  • My boss asked me to free up my Friday afternoon for an emergency meeting
  • I deleted 500 photos of my cat to free up storage on my phone
  • The company decided to free up funds by canceling the office pizza party

free up

VERB

[/friː ʌp/]

to make something available by removing what is using or blocking it

to make something available by removing what is using or blocking it
💡 Concept

to make something available by removing what is using or blocking it

Free up the space, find the key up, and be up for success!
🎵 Rhyme

Free up the space, find the key up, and be up for success!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/friː ʌp/
🇬🇧 UK/friː ʌp/

🌳Etymology

Rootfree
Suffix-up

Origin

The phrasal verb 'free up' combines the adjective 'free' (meaning unoccupied or at liberty) with the adverb 'up' (indicating completion or intensification). Originally meaning 'to make free upward,' it evolved to denote releasing or emptying something, particularly in the sense of making space, time, or resources available.

Breakdown

free (unoccupied, at liberty) + up (completion particle, upward direction). The combination creates a phrasal verb expressing the liberation or clearing of something previously constrained or occupied.

🎵Rhyme

see up
be up
key up

🔗Collocations

free up time
free up space
free up memory
free up resources
free up capital
free up schedule

📝Examples

“My boss asked me to free up my Friday afternoon for an emergency meeting”

😄 Fun example

“I deleted 500 photos of my cat to free up storage on my phone”

😄 Fun example

“The company decided to free up funds by canceling the office pizza party”

“Please free up the conference room by 2 PM”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.