ate up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ate up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very enthusiastic or absorbed in something, often to the point of being overly eager or gullible. Example: "He was so ate up with excitement about the concert that he couldn't sleep the night before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The hours Collingwood ate up at the crease saved England.

The Guardian - Sport

Higher supply costs ate up the profits at coal company Massey Energy.

Forbes

Rent ate up a third.

The New York Times

And ate up sixteen loaves.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We ate up all the candy already".

The New Yorker

But time ate up your life.

The New Yorker

"Ate up my Firenza," he said.

The New York Times

I ate up to the weight.

The Guardian - Sport

That minor project ate up all their time.

Princeton University

Unionist stalling certainly ate up much of the two years.

The Economist

Writing and rewriting ate up another two years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ate up" to convey enthusiasm or complete consumption. For example, "The audience ate up the performance" or "The project ate up all our resources."

Common error

Avoid using "ate up" when a more formal term like "consumed" or "depleted" is more appropriate for professional or academic writing. "Ate up" often carries a less formal connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ate up" is as a phrasal verb, serving as the past tense of "eat up". It's used to describe the action of consuming something completely or using something entirely. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ate up" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its primary function is to describe complete consumption, whether literal or metaphorical, or to express enthusiastic reception. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it less suitable for highly formal or scientific contexts where alternatives like "consumed" or "depleted" might be more appropriate. It appears most commonly in News & Media sources, according to the analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gobbled up

Means to eat quickly and enthusiastically, or to use something up rapidly.

devoured

Implies rapid and enthusiastic consumption, similar to eating quickly.

used up

Focuses on the complete consumption or exhaustion of something.

consumed

Indicates a complete using up or destruction, often with a negative connotation.

absorbed

Suggests taking in or using something completely, like time or resources.

depleted

Focuses on the reduction or exhaustion of something, such as resources or funds.

spent

Highlights the use of resources, especially money or time.

relished

Indicates enjoying something greatly, often with enthusiasm and appreciation.

enthralled by

Suggests being captivated or fascinated, similar to being consumed by interest.

captivated by

Indicates being strongly attracted or charmed, similar to being completely absorbed.

FAQs

How can I use "ate up" in a sentence?

"Ate up" can describe consuming something entirely, like "The dog "ate up" all the food." It can also mean something consumed resources, like "The project "ate up" all our time." Or, it can mean someone enjoyed something, like "The audience "ate up" the performance."

What are some alternatives to "ate up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "consumed", "devoured", "absorbed", or "relished".

When is it appropriate to use "ate up" in writing?

It's appropriate in informal contexts or when you want to emphasize enthusiasm or rapid consumption. In more formal settings, consider using a more neutral alternative.

Is "ate up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ate up" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. It is the past tense of "eat up".