stare up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stare up" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as looking upwards, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "She decided to stare up at the stars, lost in thought."

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Clustered together, they stare up at the Long Island Rail Road departures board, stock still as if congealed by the heat.

The New York Times

People stare up in wonder.

The Guardian - Arts

They stare up at the television together.

The New Yorker

Finally, we stare up the long rise to the finish.

The Guardian - Travel

The children stare up at her, completely baffled.

The New Yorker

I stare up towards the vastness of the O2.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Gleitzman stared up.

The New Yorker

Jaar stared up, undistracted and undeterred.

The New Yorker

Allmon stared up at him wide-eyed.

The New Yorker

I stared up at the 70-footers.

The New York Times

Caroline stares up at the ceiling.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stare up" to emphasize a focused or prolonged gaze upwards, often indicating wonder, awe, or contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "stare up" in situations where a simpler alternative like "look up" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stare up" is as a phrasal verb, where "stare" acts as the main verb and "up" functions as an adverbial particle modifying the verb's meaning to indicate direction. It describes the action of looking intently in an upward direction. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Travel

7%

Arts

7%

Less common in

Lifestyle

4%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "stare up" describes the act of looking upwards with a focused gaze. While Ludwig AI indicates it may not be the most standard expression, Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common usage across diverse contexts, including news and media, travel writing, and artistic descriptions. The phrase is generally acceptable and serves to emphasize the direction and intensity of the gaze, often conveying wonder or contemplation. Simpler alternatives like "look up" may be more appropriate in some instances. Its frequency is considered very common, although primarily appearing in News & Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look upwards

Emphasizes the direction of the gaze.

gaze upward

Suggests a more prolonged and thoughtful look.

peer up

Implies looking with difficulty or curiosity.

glance up

Indicates a quick, brief look upwards.

look skyward

Specifically directs the gaze towards the sky.

gaze at the sky

Specifically directs the gaze towards the sky with more emphasis.

observe above

Emphasizes observing something that is over

regard the heights

Describes looking up with respect or admiration.

contemplate above

Suggests thinking deeply while looking upwards.

scrutinize above

Implies careful and critical examination of something above.

FAQs

What does "stare up" mean?

"Stare up" means to look upwards with a fixed, often intense gaze. It usually implies that someone is looking at something with wonder, curiosity, or concentration.

What can I say instead of "stare up"?

You can use alternatives like "look upwards", "gaze upward", or "peer up" depending on the context.

Is "stare up" grammatically correct?

While Ludwig AI suggests it's not a standard expression, "stare up" is commonly used and generally understood. However, simpler alternatives like "look up" may be preferable in some contexts.

How do I use "stare up" in a sentence?

You can use "stare up" to describe someone looking at something above them with a fixed gaze. For example, "The children "stare up" at the fireworks in amazement."