Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To consume completely; to deplete the entirety of a resource, supply, or material. 2. To require or take up a specified amount of something, such as time or space, until it is fully occupied or expended.

Usage and Examples

• To deplete a resource or material:

  • We used up all the milk at breakfast.
  • The long hike used up my energy for the rest of the day.
  • Be careful not to use up all the printer paper.

• To occupy time or space fully:

  • The meeting used up the entire afternoon.
  • This old sofa uses up too much space in the small room.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Use up" often implies a negative or wasteful consequence, suggesting there is nothing left. It is stronger than simply "use."
  • I used the flour to make a cake. (Neutral)
  • I used up all the flour, so we can't make more. (Emphasizes depletion)
• It can be used figuratively for abstract resources like patience, chances, or goodwill.
  • His constant complaints have used up all my sympathy.

Variants and Related Words

• Used up (adjective): Completely consumed, depleted, or exhausted.
  • The battery is used up and needs to be recharged.
• Usage (noun): The act of using or the amount used.
• User (noun): A person or thing that uses something.

Synonyms

• Deplete: To reduce the amount of something significantly.
• Exhaust: To use up completely, leaving nothing.
• Consume: To use up (a resource).
• Run through: To use a supply quickly or carelessly.
• Expend: To spend or use up (a resource).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Run out of: To have no more of something left. (Note: The subject is the person/thing that becomes depleted, not the resource.)
  • We ran out of milk. (Correct)
  • We used up the milk. (Correct)
  • We used up of the milk. (Incorrect)

Related Idioms

• To burn through (something): To use up money or resources very quickly and often wastefully.
  • He burned through his inheritance in just one year.

Verb

1. require (time or space)
   • It took three hours to get to work this morning
   • This event occupied a very short time
2. use up (resources or materials)
   • this car consumes a lot of gas
   • We exhausted our savings
   • They run through 20 bottles of wine a week