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Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : P : pack up (2)

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pack up (2) British and Australian English Informal

Meaning: If something packs up, it stops working and needs to be fixed.

Synonym: break

For example:

  • pack up Why does my air conditioner have to pack up on Friday? I can't get it fixed til Monday, and it's going to be a really hot weekend!

  • pack up Stan's printer has packed up again! Why doesn't he just get a new one?

Nouns often used as subjects with
pack up (2): computer, printer, television, refrigerator, air conditioner, camera, phone

Variety: This is typically used in British and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

My camera has packed up, so I'll have to
  1. unpack it
  2. shoot it
  3. repair it

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

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