Definition

Verb (phrasal verb): - To divide into teams or sides, typically for the purpose of playing a game or sport. This often involves a selection process where individuals are picked by team captains to form balanced or desired teams.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used specifically in the context of organizing players before a game or competitive activity. It describes the action of forming sides.

Examples

• "Before we can start the soccer match, we need to choose up teams."
• "The kids gathered in the park to choose up for a game of kickball."
• "We spent ten minutes choosing up sides before the basketball game."

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can imply an informal or spontaneous method of team selection, often seen in casual, non-professional settings like schoolyards or community gatherings.
• It is often used in the past tense or as part of a narrative about preparing for a game.

Variants and Related Words

• Choose (verb): To select from a number of possibilities.
• Pick (verb): Similar to choose, often used interchangeably in casual contexts (e.g., "pick teams").
• Team selection (noun phrase): The formal process of choosing players for teams.

Synonyms

• Divide into teams
• Pick sides
• Form teams
• Select teams

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Team up: To join together to form a team or partnership.
  • "Let's team up for the trivia contest."
• Side with: To support or form a faction with a particular person or group.
  • "In the debate, he chose to side with the opposition."

Related Idioms

• Choose sides: Very similar in meaning to "choose up," meaning to select which team or faction to join.
  • "It's time to choose sides for the debate."
• Line up: To take positions in a line or formation, often as part of team preparation.
  • "The players lined up to be chosen for the team."

Verb

1. form sides, as for a game