wind up

USAGE SUMMARY

"wind up" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It typically means to arrive at a conclusion or end, usually after a course of action or process. For example, "I think we should wind up our meeting here, since all the agenda items have been discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'll wind up hurting you.

The New York Times

"They wind up injured anyway".

The New York Times

Where will it wind up?

The New York Times - Arts

You wind up winning.

The Guardian - Opinion

case will wind up.

The New York Times

firms wind up with overly correlated returns.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But wind-up mice?

The New York Times - Arts

Get a wind-up charger.

The New York Times

We're getting the wind-up".

Independent

A wind-up merchant.

The Guardian - Sport

"'Is this a wind-up?' he asked".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wind up" to mean 'conclude', ensure the context is appropriate. It works well for informal settings but might need a more formal alternative like 'conclude' in professional documents.

Common error

Avoid using "wind up" in contexts where the literal action of winding is intended (e.g., winding a clock). Use more specific verbs like "crank", "turn", or "tighten" for clarity in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wind up" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb 'wind' with the particle 'up' to create meanings beyond the individual words. Ludwig provides examples where it signifies both concluding something and arriving at a particular state or location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

27%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wind up" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, primarily relating to concluding something or ending up in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it is frequently used in news and media, as well as on wikis, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "wind up" and more formal alternatives such as "conclude" or "finalize". Pay attention to the intended meaning to avoid confusion with the literal action of winding something. Considering these aspects will ensure effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end up

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym, focusing on the final result or destination.

finish up

This alternative emphasizes the completion or conclusion of an activity or process.

conclude

This alternative is more formal and suggests bringing something to a close in a structured manner.

arrive at

This alternative focuses on the act of reaching a specific point or outcome.

result in

This alternative highlights the consequence or outcome of a particular action or situation.

fetch up

This alternative is an older or more informal way of saying "end up".

land up

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected or accidental nature of arriving at a particular place or situation.

be in the end

This alternative phrase stresses what happens ultimately or eventually.

draw to a close

This alternative highlights the gradual ending of something like a meeting or event.

bring to a conclusion

This alternative emphasizes the act of deliberately ending something.

FAQs

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

You can use "wind up" to mean 'to finish' (e.g., "Let's wind up this meeting") or 'to end up' (e.g., "If you keep doing that, you'll wind up in trouble").

What are some alternatives to "wind up"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "wind up" include "end up", "finish up", or "conclude".

Is "wind up" formal or informal?

"Wind up" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally considered more informal. For very formal writing, consider using synonyms like "conclude" or "finalize".

What's the difference between "wind up" and "end up"?

"Wind up" and "end up" are often interchangeable, but "wind up" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or planned conclusion, while "end up" often suggests a result that wasn't necessarily intended.