fill up

To put enough of something into a container or space to make it completely full.

• Please fill up this bottle.
• She filled the bath up with warm water.
• Have you filled up all the boxes?

How to use it: fill something up with something (Fill the bucket up with water.)

Similar words: fill

Opposites: empty

Common phrases: fill up a bottle, fill up the bath, fill up something

To put fuel into a vehicle until its tank is full.

• We need to fill up.
• She filled up the car before the trip.
• Where can I fill up with petrol?

How to use it: fill up with something (We filled up with diesel before leaving.)

Similar words: refuel

Common phrases: fill up the car, fill up with petrol, fill up here

To become completely full of people, things, or liquid.

• The room is filling up.
• The bucket filled up with rainwater overnight.
• Do the trains fill up this early every morning?

How to use it: fill up with something (The hall filled up with visitors.)

Similar words: fill, become full

Opposites: empty

Common phrases: fill up quickly, fill up with people, fill up completely

To give someone enough food that they no longer feel hungry.

• This soup will fill you up.
• The large breakfast filled us up for hours.
• Did you fill up on bread before the meal?

How to use it: fill someone up (A bowl of soup filled me up.); fill up on something (Do not fill up on snacks before dinner.)

Similar words: satisfy, sate

Common phrases: fill someone up, fill up on bread, fill up the children

To get tears in your eyes because you feel strong emotion.

• She filled up during the speech.
• I started filling up when I saw my old school.
• He filled up as he spoke about his mother.

Similar words: tear up, choke up

Common phrases: fill up suddenly, fill up with tears

To annoy someone by repeatedly criticizing, teasing, or bothering them.

• Their teasing filled him up.
• She was filled up by his constant nagging.
• Those repeated complaints would fill anyone up.

How to use it: fill someone up (His constant complaints filled her up.)

Similar words: annoy, irritate, pester

Common phrases: fill someone up, fill up someone