pack up

To collect things and put them into bags, boxes, or another place for storage.

• Let’s pack up our things.
• We packed up the tent after breakfast.
• Have you packed the painting supplies up yet?

How to use it: pack something up (Please pack your tools up before you leave.)

Similar words: put away, stow away

Opposites: unpack

Common phrases: pack up equipment, pack up something, pack something up

To put something in suitable wrapping or a container so it can be sent somewhere.

• Please pack up this gift.
• She packed up the order and posted it.
• Have you packed the books up for shipping?

How to use it: pack something up for someone/something (We packed the gift up for delivery.)

Similar words: package, wrap, box up

Opposites: unpack

Common phrases: pack up gifts, pack up orders, pack something up

To leave your home and move to live somewhere else.

• We packed up and moved abroad.
• After ten years here, she decided to pack up.
• Would you pack up and move for a better job?

How to use it: pack up and move somewhere (They packed up and moved to Canada.)

Similar words: move, relocate

Opposites: stay

Common phrases: pack up permanently, pack up again

To stop trying and leave because you have been defeated or cannot succeed.

• We lost again, so we packed it up.
• They refused to pack up despite their repeated failures.
• With no chance left, he decided to pack it up.

How to use it: pack it up (There is no chance of winning; we should pack it up.)

Similar words: give up, quit, throw in the towel

Opposites: persist

Common phrases: pack it up, pack up now

To put the parts of something back together.

• She packed the pieces up into one unit.
• He packed the frame up after taking it apart for cleaning.
• We must pack the equipment up after replacing its broken parts.

How to use it: pack something up (After cleaning the separate sections, he packed the frame up again.)

Similar words: reassemble, put back together

Opposites: dismantle

Common phrases: pack something up, pack up something

To fill a pipe or its bowl with cannabis ready for smoking.

• He packed up the bowl with cannabis.
• She packed up a pipe before lighting it.
• They took turns packing up the bowl.

How to use it: pack up something with something (He packed up the pipe with cannabis.)

Similar words: fill, load

Opposites: empty

Common phrases: pack up bowls, pack up pipes, pack something up