Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To record a sale on a cash register, especially by pressing its keys to calculate and display the total price. This is the primary meaning, specifically used in retail contexts. 2. To achieve or accumulate a particular score, amount, or result. This is a figurative extension, often used in sports, business, or media to indicate reaching a total.

Usage and Examples

• Literal (Retail):
  • The cashier will ring up your items now.
  • I rang up three customers while you were on your break.
• Figurative (Achieve a total):
  • The company rang up record profits this quarter.
  • The basketball star rang up 40 points in last night's game.

Advanced Usage

• "to ring up [an amount] on the register": A more detailed phrasing emphasizing the action on the machine.
  • She rang up $75.50 on the register for the groceries.
• The phrasal verb is often used in the passive voice in business contexts.
  • Sales were rung up faster with the new, modern system.

Variants and Related Words

• Ring (verb): To cause a bell to sound. (e.g., ) This is the core verb from which the phrasal verb is derived, but with a distinct meaning.
• Check out (verb): A near-synonym in retail for the final step of a purchase, which often includes the act of ringing up. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Total (verb): To add up amounts. (e.g., )
• Tabulate (verb): To arrange data in a table or list; to count. (More formal)
• Log (verb): To make a formal record of an event or transaction. (e.g., )

Phrasal Verbs

• Ring off: To end a telephone call. (British English)
  • I have to go now, I'll ring off.
• Ring back: To return a telephone call.
  • He's not here now. Can you ring back later?

Related Idioms

• Ring a bell: To sound familiar; to cause someone to remember something.
  • Does the name "Harrison" ring a bell?
• Ring true/false: To seem genuine/not genuine.
  • His explanation didn't quite ring true.
• Ring the changes: To make variations or do things in a different way.
  • The chef likes to ring the changes on the menu every season.

Verb

1. to perform and record a sale on a cash register
   • Sally rang up Eve's purchase of tomatoes