board up

USAGE SUMMARY

"board up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of covering up windows, doors, and other parts of a building with boards. For example: "We need to board up the windows before the storm arrives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Hold the end of this board up," he said.

The New Yorker

Mr Webster will do well if he gets the oversight board up and running smoothly.

The Economist

There are no windows to board up, no sandbags to fill.

The New York Times

Big men in polo shirts brandishing clipboards appeared, offering to board up windows.

The New York Times

He decides to board up the house and make a stand.

The New York Times

Grocery stores reported heavy business yesterday, and some people had started to board up their windows.

The Guardian

He was suggesting that I use it to board up my windows.

The New York Times

Carefully lift the board up and insert the RAM.  .

TechCrunch

"The wood [to board up windows] is cut at my office," he said.

BBC

"Not amazingly – I screwed the board up".

Vice

We didn't even board up the windows.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When preparing for a storm or potential unrest, specify which openings you intend to "board up", such as "board up the windows" or "board up the doors".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "board". It's "board up", not "board on" or "board over".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "board up" functions primarily as a verb describing the action of covering something, typically windows or doors, with boards for protection or security. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "board up" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the action of covering openings, especially windows and doors, with boards for protection. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Wiki contexts, used to communicate actions taken in preparation for events like storms or to secure properties. When using "board up", be sure to specify which openings you are covering for clarity. Alternative phrases include "secure with planks" or "cover with wood" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barricade with boards

Emphasizes the act of creating a barrier using boards.

secure with planks

Specifies the method of securing using planks, adding detail.

close off with planks

Focuses on the action of completely closing off an area using planks.

cover with wood

Focuses on the material used for covering, broadening the scope.

seal off with wood

Focuses on completely sealing an area using wood.

shutter the windows

Refers specifically to using shutters for window protection.

protect with wood

Emphasizes the protective function of using wood, less specific than "board up".

reinforce with timber

Highlights the act of strengthening using timber.

fortify with lumber

Highlights the strengthening and defensive nature of using lumber.

cover and secure

A more general description of the action, lacking the specificity of using boards.

FAQs

How do you use "board up" in a sentence?

You can use "board up" to describe the action of covering windows or doors with boards for protection, like "We need to "board up" the windows before the hurricane arrives".

What's the difference between "board up" and "barricade"?

"Board up" specifically refers to using boards to cover openings, while "barricade" is a more general term for creating a defensive barrier, which might involve boards but also other materials.

What can I use instead of "board up"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "board up" include "secure with planks", "cover with wood", or "barricade with boards".

Is it correct to say "board the windows" instead of "board up the windows"?

While "board the windows" might be understood, "board up the windows" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express the action of covering windows with boards.