feed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feed up" is not a commonly used phrase in written English.
It may be more commonly used in spoken language, particularly in regional dialects or informal conversations. If you do choose to use it in written English, it is important to use it in the correct context. The phrase is typically used to mean "to provide food to someone or something until they are full or satisfied." One example of using "feed up" in a sentence is: "The farmer fed up his cattle before the long winter to ensure they would have enough nourishment to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Oil-rig reefs may shelter and feed up to eight tonnes of fish.

The Economist

These can feed up to 100 envelopes at a time through the straight paper path.

The New York Times - Tech

By 2050 it is predicted that there will be 9 billion mouths to feed, up from 7 billion today.

Independent

Their increased appetite is a harbinger of snow here as reliable as any forecast; they know it's coming so feed up fast before dinner disappears.

Independent

The land grabbed in some of the world's hungriest countries by foreign goverments and corporations could feed up to 550m people, according to new research.

The Guardian

Our sausage-bacon-eggs-fish-and-chips attitude is a cultural thing, a propagandist hangover from the war: feed up your man, get him ready for war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mothers included in the study will be offered shopping vouchers worth up to £120 if their babies are breastfed up to six weeks old, and a further £80 if they continue to breast feed up to six months.

Independent

The World Food Program said Thursday it was beginning a $38.7 million operation to feed up to 2.7 million people in Tunisia, Egypt, where many immigrant workers have fled, and Libya itself.

The New York Times

Like most breeders, Mr. Sampson spends hours each day scraping away bird droppings, hosing down coops, stocking feeders, filling water canisters and hauling 50-pound bags of feed up a 10-foot ladder and through a hatch to the roof.

The New York Times

I wasn't having to persuade feedlots [used in US and Canadian factory farming to intensively feed up animals before slaughter] to let me in, or ask Monsanto to have access to their scientists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

What of the people at creative agency Drummond Central who set the live-feed up?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feed up", specify the quantity or extent of feeding to provide a clearer picture. For example, "feed up to six people" is more descriptive than just "feed up".

Common error

Avoid using "feed up" in formal writing where more precise vocabulary like "nourish", "provide sustenance", or "cater for" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "feed up" primarily functions as a transitive verb. Ludwig shows its use in contexts where the subject is providing food to an object, be it people or animals, with the aim of nourishing them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "feed up" functions to describe the act of providing food, commonly to reach a healthy weight or state of satisfaction. Ludwig AI, however, suggests that it is not a phrase frequently used in formal writing. Its register is generally neutral, with usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general online content. Key alternatives include "nourish", "provide sustenance", and "sustain". Remember to use specific details about the extent or quantity of feeding to provide a clearer picture in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give food to

A simpler, more direct way of describing the act of providing food.

nourish well

Emphasizes the quality and effectiveness of the nourishment provided.

nourish

Focuses on providing essential nutrients for growth and health, differing from "feed up" in its emphasis on quality over quantity.

sustain

Highlights the act of maintaining life through food, emphasizing the long-term aspect of feeding.

provide sustenance

Emphasizes the act of supplying what is needed to survive, a more formal way of saying "feed up".

provide for

Focuses on taking care of someone's needs, including food, differing from "feed up" which is solely about giving food.

fatten

Specifically refers to increasing the weight of an animal through feeding, implying a different purpose than simply nourishing.

supply with provisions

A formal alternative that focuses on equipping someone with necessary food items.

stockpile food

Highlights the accumulation of food, shifting the focus from the act of feeding to the preparation for future needs.

cater for

Implies providing food for a large group or event, shifting the focus to a specific context.

FAQs

How to use "feed up" in a sentence?

You can use "feed up" to describe providing food until someone or something is at a healthy weight or satisfied, such as "The volunteers helped to feed up to 160,000 people last year".

What can I say instead of "feed up"?

You can use alternatives like "nourish", "provide sustenance", or "sustain" depending on the context.

Is "feed up" formal or informal?

"Feed up" leans toward the informal side. For formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "provide for" or "cater for".

What's the difference between "feed up" and "fatten"?

"Feed up" generally means providing enough food to reach a healthy state, while "fatten" specifically implies feeding to increase weight, often for consumption or other purposes.