rack up

To gain a large number of points, wins, or other successes.

• We racked up ten points.
• She has racked up several wins this season.
• How many goals did they rack up?

How to use it: rack up something (Their team racked up twenty points.)

Similar words: accumulate, amass, notch up

Common phrases: rack up points, rack up wins, rack up victories

To collect or build up an amount of something, often a large amount.

• He racked up large debts.
• We racked up hundreds of miles on our trip.
• How did you rack up so many parking fines?

How to use it: rack up something (The repairs racked up huge costs.)

Similar words: accumulate, build up, amass

Common phrases: rack up debt, rack up bills, rack up miles

To arrange balls in a frame before a game of pool or snooker.

• Please rack up the balls.
• The referee racked up the reds.
• Who will rack up before the next game?

How to use it: rack up something / rack something up (She racked the balls up for another game.)

Similar words: rack

Common phrases: rack up the balls, rack the balls up

To beat an opponent very easily and by a large amount.

• They racked us up yesterday.
• Our team was racked up in the final.
• The stronger player racked up every opponent.

How to use it: rack someone up (The champions racked their opponents up in the final.)

Similar words: thrash, trounce, crush

Common phrases: rack someone up, rack up an opponent

To gather your gambling chips and exchange them for money before leaving.

• I decided to rack up and leave.
• She racked up after winning fifty dollars.
• Are you going to rack up after this hand?

Similar words: cash out

Common phrases: rack up and leave, rack up your chips

To say that something happened because of a particular cause.

• He racked his success up to luck.
• They racked the delay up to bad weather.
• Can we rack this error up to inexperience?

How to use it: rack something up to something (She racked the mistake up to tiredness.)

Similar words: attribute, chalk up, put down

Common phrases: rack up to luck, rack something up