fold up

USAGE SUMMARY

"fold up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a phrasal verb meaning "to make something smaller by folding it up" (e.g. She folded up the blanket after the picnic) or "to collapse or go away" (e.g. The crowd started to fold up after the finale).

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

They fold up when not in use.

The New York Times

They fold up into a pouch.

The New York Times

They fold up in back, in that old Dodger blue".

The New York Times

The Chinese box will fold up behind you.

The Guardian - Travel

You cheer "up", flare "up", fold "up", bear "up" nobly.

The New Yorker

Fold up overhang and crimp edges to seal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

NAC domain containing protein showed just 2.0 fold up-regulation.

Rice

It was a table with fold-up legs.

The New York Times

It was a fold-up bed, on casters.

The New Yorker

A fold-up single bed was pushed against a wall.

The New York Times - Travel

Emergency reading glasses (these cool fold-up ones).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In figurative contexts, use this phrase to describe a business failing or a person suddenly losing their resolve or posture.

Common error

Avoid using "fold up" transitively when describing a person's emotional state unless you are using the specific idiom 'fold up your tent'. Usually, when a person 'folds up', it is an intransitive action describing their physical or mental collapse.

Linguistic Context

As a phrasal verb, "fold up" functions both transitively (e.g. folding an object) and intransitively (e.g. a business failing). According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to describe the transition of an object from an open or used state to a stored state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

46%

News & Media

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "fold up" is a highly versatile phrasal verb that serves both literal and metaphorical purposes. Based on data from Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in practical "how-to" guides and news media. Whether you are describing the act of making a piece of clothing compact or the unfortunate end of a business venture, "fold up" conveys a sense of completion and containment. It is grammatically robust and widely accepted across various registers, making it a reliable choice for both descriptive and instructional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse

Implies a more sudden or structural folding, often used for chairs or tents.

fold

The root verb, which lacks the completive nuance provided by the particle 'up'.

pack away

Focuses on the storage aspect following the act of folding.

close down

A direct synonym for the figurative sense of a business stopping operations.

stow

A more formal term for putting something away compactly.

go under

An idiomatic alternative for the figurative sense of financial failure.

double over

Specifically refers to folding something once in the middle.

tuck away

Emphasizes placing a folded item into a small or hidden space.

shut down

Used when a business or machine stops working entirely.

crease

Focuses on the line made by folding rather than the act of making it compact.

FAQs

How do I use "fold up" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in "Please "fold up the blanket" after use", or figuratively, such as "The company had to "fold up" due to the recession".

What is the difference between fold and fold up?

While both refer to the same action, "fold" describes the mechanical action, whereas "fold up" implies a completed state of being compact or put away.

What can I say instead of "fold up" for a business?

You can use alternatives like "close down", "liquidate", or "shut up shop" depending on the formality.

Which is correct, "fold up" or "fold away"?

Both are correct. Use "fold up" to describe the act of folding and "fold away" when emphasizing that the object is being moved out of sight.