Phrasal verb: use up

[Guest]

Test No. express/elem-6 "Out of Control", question 6

You have a limited number of minutes to answer the test and you've spent 3 minutes so you're out of time.

(a) you've used up your time
(b) you've used in your time
(c) you've used for your time
(d) you've used out your time

Test No. express/elem-6 "Out of Control", answer 6

You have a limited number of minutes to answer the test and you've spent 3 minutes so you've used up your time.

Correct answer: (a) you've used up your time
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you've used out your time

[Mister Micawber]

Used up is correct; it means consumed:

Someone has used up all the staples, so I will have to buy some more.

I used up 30 minutes just searching for a parking space.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber