Definition

Verb: 1. To link or join together, often in a pair or partnership: The core meaning refers to the act of connecting two things or people, forming a pair or a combined unit. It often implies a deliberate or functional connection.

Usage

• The verb "couple up" is used to describe the action of pairing or connecting items, ideas, or people.
• It is often used in technical, logistical, or social contexts to discuss combining elements.
• It can be used in both active and passive voice.

Examples

• Active Voice:
  • The technician will couple up the train cars before departure.
  • We should couple up these two concepts for a stronger argument.
• Passive Voice:
  • The devices were coupled up to share data.
  • For the project, students were coupled up to work in teams.

Advanced Usage

• "to couple up with": To form a pair or partnership with someone or something.
  • Our company decided to couple up with a local supplier for better efficiency.
• Used in discussions of networking, relationships, or system integration.
  • The software modules need to be correctly coupled up to function as one system.

Variants and Related Words

• Couple (verb): To join or link two things together. (A simpler form, often used interchangeably with "couple up" in many contexts).
• Coupling (noun): A device or mechanism that connects two parts.
• Decouple (verb): To disconnect or separate things that were linked.

Synonyms

• Connect
• Join
• Pair
• Link
• Unite

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pair up: To form a pair. (Often used more specifically for people or animals).
  • The teacher asked the students to pair up for the exercise.
• Team up: To join together to form a team.
  • The two companies teamed up to develop the new technology.

Related Idioms

• In couples: In pairs.
  • The guests entered the hall in couples. (Note: While "couple up" itself is not typically an idiom, it relates to the concept of pairing expressed in idioms.)

Verb

1. link together
   • can we couple these proposals?