free things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "free things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making space, resources, or time available for other uses or activities. Example: "We need to free things up in our schedule to accommodate the new project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the journals, Spetses does free things up.

The Guardian - Books

Instead of closing things down, this proximity to other kinds of art in the downtown scene allowed her to free things up.

The Guardian - Arts

Obama said that if Cubans wanted to improve their standing in the global economy their government needed to free things up.

The New Yorker

But the bombings are hardly likely to make Mr Mubarak free things up faster.Though his government at first suggested that the attacks might have been orchestrated from abroad, suspicion soon turned to a network among the bedouin of northern Sinai.

The Economist

Unless the Fed reverses much of what it has done since 2008, particularly its edicts forcing big banks to hold more capital, there is only so much that the Trump Administration can do to free things up.

The New Yorker

The entrance doors will be widening up as well, from 50- to 58-inches, which should free things up a bit as everyone attempts to rush on and off all at once during rush hour.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Even a very quick scene with Jane Fonda losing her temper on a plane frees things up a bit: but mostly we are drifting around the handsome facilities and grounds of this sumptuous but weirdly soulless open prison with its massages and its heated pools.

The Guardian - Film

When it comes to finding additional content, the screen hasn't really freed things up all that much.

TechCrunch

He also felt free to make things up, so a few characters — like an old flame of the first lady, Pat Nixon — are clearly inventions.

The New York Times - Books

And on the off chance you're allowed to paint your dorm room, feel free to step things up some WhiteyPaint instead.

TechCrunch

As usual, you can feel free to mix things up in the comments, drop me a line if need be, follow me on Twitter if that's what you're into, and peruse my Rebel Mouse page for Sunday Reads if you get bored waiting for more liveblog.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "free things up", consider what specific benefit results from the freeing – more time, more space, or greater efficiency. This adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "free things up" can sound informal in certain professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "make available" or "liberate resources" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "free things up" is that of a phrasal verb, where "free" acts as the verb and "up" as the particle. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English and refers to making resources or time available.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "free things up" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of making resources, space, or time available. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While generally acceptable, consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, and benefits from specifying what is being freed and what the subsequent benefit is.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make room

Similar to "clear space", often refers to physical space but can also apply to time or resources.

make available

A more formal way of expressing that something is now accessible or ready for use.

clear space

Focuses on physical space being made available, rather than abstract resources or time.

liberate resources

Emphasizes the release or freeing of resources that were previously tied up or restricted.

create capacity

Focuses on increasing the ability to handle more of something, like workload or data.

open up opportunities

Highlights the creation of new possibilities or chances.

streamline operations

Suggests making processes more efficient to free up time and resources.

ease the burden

Focuses on relieving pressure or stress, which can free up mental resources.

alleviate pressure

Like "ease the burden", it suggests reducing stress or strain, freeing up resources indirectly.

decongest

Implies removing obstructions or blockages to allow for smoother flow.

FAQs

How can I use "free things up" in a sentence?

You can use "free things up" to describe making something available, such as "Widening the entrance doors should "free things up" a bit as everyone attempts to rush on and off during rush hour."

What does "free things up" mean?

The phrase "free things up" means to make something available for use, whether it's space, time, or resources.

What can I say instead of "free things up"?

You can use alternatives like "make available", "clear space" or "liberate resources" depending on the context.

Is "free things up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "free things up" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. It follows standard English grammar rules.