queue up

USAGE SUMMARY

'queue up' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is commonly used when talking about forming a line, as in "We queued up outside the store, waiting for it to open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, they queue up for a visa.

The Economist

Businesses queue up to hire her services.

The Times

Readers, did you queue up for a new iPad?

The New York Times

"People still queue up for famous fortune tellers.

The New York Times

Otherwise, they would have to queue up with everyone else.

Independent

Its clients queue up to berate their daughters-in-law.

The Economist

Above, dump trucks queue up to load with tar sands.

The Guardian

On Friday hackers will queue up to present their work.

The Guardian

And thousands queue up for the experience with hushed reverence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Women with heaps of clothes queue up to pay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More vessels queue up outside the harbours waiting for a free berth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "queue up" when you want to emphasize the physical act of forming or waiting in a line, especially in an orderly fashion. It is commonly understood in British English.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "queue up" (to form a line) with "cue up" (to prepare something for playing, like a song). The spelling difference is crucial for clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "queue up" is as an intransitive phrasal verb, indicating the action of forming or joining a line. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in various contexts where people or things are waiting in order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "queue up" is commonly used to describe the act of forming or waiting in a line. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and predominantly found in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. It is essential to distinguish it from "cue up", which has a different meaning. The primary function is to instruct or describe waiting in an organized manner, often in British English contexts. Related phrases include ""line up"", "form a line", and "wait in line". While "queue up" is used and understood by English speakers, in American English speakers are more likely to use ""line up"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line up

Focuses on the physical act of forming a line.

form a line

Emphasizes the creation of an ordered sequence.

stand in line

Highlights the act of physically waiting in a queue.

wait in line

Similar to 'stand in line', emphasizing the act of waiting.

get in line

Describes the action of joining an existing queue.

fall in line

Implies conforming to an established order or procedure.

assemble

Focuses on gathering together, often in an organized way.

muster

Similar to 'assemble' but can also imply gathering for a specific purpose.

enlist

Suggests joining a group or activity, similar to joining a queue.

get ready

Focuses on preparing oneself, either mentally or physically, for an action.

FAQs

What does "queue up" mean?

"Queue up" means to form or stand in a line, typically waiting for something. It is commonly used in British English.

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

You can use "queue up" in a sentence like this: "People had to "line up" early to get tickets."

What is a synonym for "queue up"?

A common synonym for "queue up" is ""line up"", which also means to form or stand in a line.

Is "queue up" formal or informal?

"Queue up" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in British English. In American English, ""line up"" might be preferred.