mate up

USAGE SUMMARY

"mate up" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
It could possibly be used as slang in certain contexts, but it is not a phrase generally used in formal written English.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Females are fertile approximately every three weeks, and during this time they have been known to mate up to 500 times in six hours.

Britannica

Adam Lyth had a decent week, rounding it off with an extraordinary leap to catch a skyer on the long-off boundary – then, as his momentum carried him over the sponge, he flung the ball to Aaron Finch, backing his mate up from long-on.

The Guardian - Sport

The drive for this compatibility is so strong that when scientists forced the females to mate up with males not of their choosing, the birds were more likely to cheat and shirk their parental duties, leading to more deaths among their chicks.

Science Magazine

At typical summer population densities, males encounter females at rates that are very much higher than the rate at which they can mate, up to 103 females male−1 day−1, with an annual average exceeding 10 females male−1d−1 in the field population examined by Uye & Sano [39], [35].

Plosone

B. terrestris queens are monandrous, mating only once [ 65], while males can mate up to eight times [ 66].

BMC Genomics

Some pacifier clips are specially designed to mate up correctly with that same brand's pacifier.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I came up here to look for a bloke who had done one of my mates up," he told the officer.

The Guardian

When I've been ringing his mates up to tell them, they think it's him having a laugh,' said Bob Ryan.

The Guardian

"A few of my mates up at Sunderland are very good players but haven't had that break.

BBC

Nathaniel Clyne just played a back pass from the halfway line with all of his team mates up field?

BBC

Perhaps (somewhat ironically) thanks to Apple's right turn in design language last year, the app itself fits in well with IFTTT's overall aesthetic, mating up nicely with the iOS 7-friendly version for iPhone and iPad.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "mate up" appears in informal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "pair off", "team up", or "partner up" depending on the intended meaning for clearer communication. Avoid it in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mate up" in professional documents. Overusing informal phrasal verbs like "mate up" can diminish the credibility of your writing. Opt for stronger, more precise vocabulary to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mate up" functions as a phrasal verb, suggesting the act of pairing, joining, or forming a relationship. Ludwig shows it's used across different contexts, although it is often deemed incorrect in formal settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mate up" is an interesting case. While fairly common, Ludwig AI deems it grammatically "Incorrect" for general use. However, the examples indicate it appears frequently across various sources, especially in news and media. Its meaning is generally understood as pairing or joining, but more formal alternatives such as "team up" or "partner up" are usually better suited for professional or academic contexts. Ultimately, while "mate up" may find its place in informal communication, exercise caution in using it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pair off

Suggests forming a pair, often in the context of relationships or activities.

team up

Focuses on collaboration and working together towards a common goal.

partner up

Emphasizes a formal or structured arrangement between individuals or groups.

hook up

Implies a casual or temporary connection, often with romantic or sexual undertones.

get together

Refers to a gathering or meeting, typically for social purposes.

link up

Highlights the act of connecting or joining, often in a logistical or organizational sense.

join forces

Suggests a more strategic or impactful collaboration, emphasizing combined strength.

befriend

Focuses on forming a friendship or building rapport with someone.

get acquainted

Indicates the process of becoming familiar with someone.

get to know

Suggests a deeper exploration of someone's personality and background.

FAQs

Is "mate up" grammatically correct?

While used colloquially, "mate up" is not considered grammatically standard English. More formal alternatives like "pair off" or "team up" are preferable in formal writing.

What does "mate up" mean?

"Mate up" generally means to pair or join with someone, often in the context of forming a relationship, partnership, or team. The specific meaning depends on the context.

Are there more appropriate alternatives to "mate up"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "team up", "partner up", "pair off", or even simply "join".

When is it okay to use "mate up"?

"Mate up" is acceptable in informal conversations or casual writing among friends. However, it's best to avoid it in professional or academic settings where more formal language is expected.