use up

To take all of something, leaving none.

• We used up all the milk.
• Will this journey use up our remaining fuel?
• Cooking for everyone has used up most of my energy.

How to use it: use up something (We used up all the flour.); use something up (This heater uses electricity up quickly.)

Similar words: exhaust, consume, deplete

Common phrases: use up something, use something up

To fill an area or take an amount of available time.

• That sofa uses up too much space.
• The meeting used up the whole afternoon.
• Why use up valuable desk space with old magazines?

How to use it: use up something (The cupboards use up most of the wall space.)

Similar words: take up, occupy

Common phrases: use up space, use up time, use something up