stop up

To fill or cover a hole or passage so that nothing can pass through.

• Stop up the hole with a cloth.
• Leaves stopped up the drain after the storm.
• She stopped the gap up to keep the cold air out.

How to use it: stop something up with something (He stopped the hole up with a cloth.)

Similar words: plug, block, seal

Opposites: unblock

Common phrases: stop up a hole, stop up the drain

To make a camera lens opening wider so that more light enters.

• Stop up the lens for more light.
• She stopped up to f/2.8 when the room grew darker.
• Should I stop up or use a slower shutter speed?

How to use it: stop up to something (Stop up to f/2.8 for more light.)

Similar words: open up

Opposites: stop down

Common phrases: stop up the lens, stop up one step

To permanently close a road or path and remove people’s legal right to use it.

• The council stopped up the road.
• An official order stopped up the footpath beside the factory.
• They cannot stop up this public lane without legal approval.

How to use it: stop up something (The council voted to stop up the old lane.)

Similar words: close permanently

Opposites: reopen

Common phrases: stop up a road, stop up a footpath