fetch up

USAGE SUMMARY

"fetch up" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to retrieve something, especially if it requires effort. Example: I had to fetch up my old passport from the garage before I could renew my driver's license.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could fetch up to $9m.

Independent

Somalis and Eritreans fetch up in Italy.

The Economist

It is estimated to fetch up to £30,000.

The Guardian - Books

Now, says Owen, one can fetch up to £250,000.

The Guardian - Music

It is expected to fetch up to €6,000.

The Times

Estimates suggest it will fetch up to £90,000.

The Guardian

Those created for exhibitions can fetch up to £8,000.

The Guardian

The Telegraph assets could fetch up to $1.12 billion.

The New York Times

Broken bats fetch up to $500, depending on the player.

The New York Times - Sports

The shirt is expected to fetch up to £15,000.

The Guardian

It is expected to fetch up to $1.5 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fetch up" when you want to emphasize an unexpected arrival or the act of retrieving something with some effort. For example, "After hours of searching, I finally fetched up my lost keys."

Common error

Avoid using "fetch up" in highly formal contexts where a more direct synonym like "retrieve" or "arrive" would be more appropriate. "Fetch up" often carries a slightly informal or even humorous connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fetch up" functions primarily as a verb of arrival or retrieval. It describes the act of reaching a destination, sometimes unexpectedly, or the action of recovering something. As Ludwig AI notes, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "fetch up" is a versatile expression primarily used to describe arriving at a place, often unexpectedly, or retrieving something, usually implying some effort. Ludwig AI confirms that "fetch up" is grammatically correct. As seen in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, its primary context is in News & Media. While generally neutral, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "arrive at" or "retrieve" in academic or professional settings. Be mindful of its slightly informal connotation to ensure it aligns with your intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end up

Focuses on the final state or location after a process or journey.

land up

Implies reaching a place, often unexpectedly.

arrive at

Emphasizes the act of reaching a destination.

wind up

Suggests a conclusion or a final situation, sometimes unplanned.

reach

Focuses on achieving a specific target or destination.

be expected to reach

Indicates an anticipated upper limit or value.

retrieve

Highlights the action of getting something back.

estimate at

Focuses specifically on the valuation aspect.

attain

Implies achieving or reaching a certain level or goal.

sell for

Relates to the price something can achieve in a sale.

FAQs

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

You can use "fetch up" to describe arriving somewhere unexpectedly, as in "We fetched up at a small village after getting lost". Alternatively, it can mean to retrieve something, like "I had to fetch up the old documents from the basement".

What's a more formal alternative to "fetch up"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "fetch up" include "arrive at", "reach", or "retrieve". Choose the alternative that best fits the tone and formality of your writing.

Is "fetch up" appropriate for business writing?

While "fetch up" is generally understood, it may be too informal for some business contexts. Consider using more professional alternatives like "obtain", "acquire", or "secure" when precision and formality are important.

What's the difference between "fetch up" and "end up"?

"Fetch up" implies an element of effort or unexpectedness in arriving or retrieving, while "end up" simply describes the final result or state, often without the same emphasis on prior difficulty or surprise.