fill up

What it means

To make something completely full, or to become completely full. It's often used about fuel tanks, drinks, containers, and rooms or spaces filling with people.

Examples

• We need to fill up the tank before we hit the highway tomorrow.
• The waiter came over and filled up our glasses with cold water.
• The cinema filled up quickly once the doors opened at seven.
• Don't fill up on bread before the main course arrives at the table.

Where it comes from

Separable: 'fill it up' or 'fill up the bottle'. 'Fill her up' is a classic phrase drivers use at petrol stations, especially in older American films.

Related phrasal verbs