rack up

USAGE SUMMARY

"rack up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is achieving something or accumulating points, awards, successes, miles, etc. For example, "He has racked up over 1,000 frequent flyer miles this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Little things rack up bills.

The Guardian

Costs quickly rack up also.

The Guardian

Centers are expected to rack up rebounds.

The New York Times

First, rack up more state-level victories.

The New York Times

Burly lumberjack-like competitors rack up zeros.

The Washington Post

Even longtime managers proved they can rack up big returns.

The New York Times

"There's a luggage rack up there as well".

The New Yorker

I'm sure we can rack up a hefty bill.

Independent

Both are obviously talented and rack up impressive sales records.

The New York Times

Won't matter, if you rack up enough of them.

The New York Times

Celebrities have been introduced to rack up interest.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rack up" to describe accumulating something negative, like debt or penalties, consider whether a more precise term might be appropriate to convey the severity or nature of the accumulation.

Common error

Avoid using "rack up" for abstract concepts that are not easily quantifiable. For instance, instead of saying "rack up experience", consider saying "gain experience" or "accumulate knowledge" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rack up" is a phrasal verb. It functions as a transitive verb when it's followed by an object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrasal verb is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts. For example, Ludwig provides sentences as "Centers are expected to rack up rebounds."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "rack up" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that means to accumulate or gain something, often points, scores, or achievements. Ludwig AI analysis validates its appropriate usage across many contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for describing quantifiable accumulations, as the dictionary suggests. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Wiki sources, but less so in formal academic settings. Related phrases include "accumulate", "gain", and "amass", each carrying nuanced differences. When writing, remember that "rack up" is often used to show a speedy accumulation of a particular thing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain

This is a general term for obtaining something, often through effort.

accumulate

This alternative focuses on the gradual gathering of something over time.

score

This is often used in the context of games or sports to mean gaining points.

build up

This alternative implies a gradual increase or accumulation over time.

amass

This implies gathering a large quantity of something, often wealth or possessions.

chalk up

An idiomatic expression, similar in meaning but often used more casually.

collect

This suggests gathering items together, often in an organized manner.

earn

This implies obtaining something as a result of work or merit.

acquire

This focuses on obtaining or gaining possession of something.

total

This focuses on getting the total number or amount of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "rack up" to describe accumulating points, achievements, or even negative things like debt. For example, "The team racked up a lot of points" or "He started to rack up debt after college".

What can I say instead of "rack up"?

You can use alternatives like "accumulate", "gain", or "amass" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rack up debt"?

Yes, it is correct to say "rack up debt". It means to accumulate a large amount of debt quickly.

What's the difference between "rack up" and "build up"?

"Rack up" often implies accumulating something quickly or in large quantities, while "build up" suggests a more gradual and steady accumulation.