form up

form up

1. To assemble into a particular formation or arrangement. The troops formed up into straight lines. The cheerleaders then formed up into a W for Wilson High School. Mom wants us to form up into a circle so we can pick names out of a hat.

2. To organize a group of people or things in a particular manner. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "form" and "up." Form those clothes up into neat piles, will you? Roger was so bored during dinner that he formed his peas up into a heart. Can you please sort through these donations and form them up into groups?

See also: form, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

form up

v.

1. To come together into an organized shape or formation: At the sergeant's command, the troops formed up into a single line. Our plans formed up quickly after we reviewed the possibilities.

2. To cause something to be created by arranging or organizing: We formed up several teams of players. The marines formed the captives up into two columns and marched them forward.

See also: form, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.