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Expressions: Open up, wait up, etc



 
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Expression: 'You need feel under...' | The difference between situation and circumstance
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Expressions: Open up, wait up, etc #1 (permalink) Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:22 pm   Expressions: Open up, wait up, etc
 

Hi

Could you please tell me why and when we use up with the following verbs?

1- Hey, open up!
2- Hey, wait up!

I would be obliged if you could give me a few more examples of the same sort!

Tom
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Expressions: Open up, wait up, etc #2 (permalink) Mon Nov 06, 2006 14:05 pm   Expressions: Open up, wait up, etc
 

Tom wrote:
Hi

Could you please tell me why and when we use up with the following verbs?

1- Hey, open up! --> Without context, I would understand "Open the door".
2- Hey, wait up! = Wait for me. (informal usage of 'wait up')


A few examples:

After a lot of careful prodding, she finally opened up and told me what was troubling her. (open up = stop hiding feelings/speak openly and honestly)

They opened up a new business last week.

I bought a Porsche yesterday and I could hardly wait to get on the autobahn and open it up. (open it up = drive at high speed)

I waited up for him so that I could give him the news as soon as he got home. (waited up = I didn't go to bed)
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