scoop up

USAGE SUMMARY

"scoop up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to ask someone to gather or pick up something in a quick, informal way. For example: "Quickly, scoop up the leaves and put them in the bag!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They might then scoop up its members.

The Economist

"We can scoop up all three at once".

The New York Times

Parents, friends and family members routinely scoop up the tickets.

The New York Times - Arts

She shrugged, closing in to scoop up Yugo.

The New York Times

They were all looking to scoop up affordable second homes".

The New York Times

Its collections systems scoop up enough data every three hours to fill the Library of Congress.

Yale University

France, keen that Russia should not scoop up all the oil contracts, eventually did the same.

The Economist

Whether public (Berkeley) or private (Stanford), its flagship campuses scoop up Nobel prizes.

The Economist

Lockheed is reshaping the hook to try to scoop up the cable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ladies can scoop-up some gorgeous dresses here.

Huffington Post

Another problem is letting Amazon scoop up even more data about who is buying what.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scoop up" when you want to convey a sense of quickness and ease in collecting or acquiring something, whether it's physical objects or abstract entities like information or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "scoop up" in very formal or professional writing where a more precise or sophisticated term like "acquire", "gather", or "collect" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scoop up" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "scoop" with the particle "up" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scoop up" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to quickly gather or collect something. Ludwig AI validates this, providing numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. Its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to Wiki guides, and while generally informal to neutral, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives in formal settings. Remember to use "scoop up" when the action is quick and efficient, but consider alternatives like "gather up" or "collect" for more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather up

Focuses on collecting items, often scattered, into a group.

collect

Emphasizes the act of bringing things together, often systematically.

pick up

Implies lifting or taking something from a surface.

snatch up

Suggests quickly and eagerly acquiring something, often before others can.

grab

Highlights a sudden and forceful taking of something.

seize

Indicates taking hold of something firmly and decisively.

capture

Focuses on gaining control or possession of something, often with effort.

acquire

Refers to gaining possession of something, often over time.

obtain

Implies getting something, often through effort or request.

procure

Suggests acquiring something, often with difficulty or special effort.

FAQs

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

"Scoop up" is a phrasal verb meaning to quickly gather or collect something. For example, "She shrugged, closing in to scoop up Yugo."

What can I say instead of "scoop up"?

You can use alternatives like "gather up", "collect", or "pick up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scoop up" or "scoop down"?

"Scoop up" is correct when you mean to gather or collect something, usually from a lower position. "Scoop down" is not a standard or recognized phrasal verb.

What's the difference between "scoop up" and "pick up"?

"Scoop up" suggests a motion of gathering something quickly, often with a curved tool or hand, while "pick up" generally implies lifting something with your fingers or hands.