rack up
To arrange in a rackTo arrange in a rack.
» The biggest regrets for college graduates are the huge debts they’ve racked up.
Meaning
6 senses(ambitransitive)To arrange in a rack.
At the start of the game, the referee racks up the red balls.
If you rack up, I'll break.
place in a rack
(idiomatic)To gain (points etc.; in a game or sport), to accumulate.
Chelsea racked up another 3 points at home to Bolton.
gain points in a game
(idiomatic)To acquire, to gather together.
By the age of 18, he had already racked up thousands of dollars in debt.
(idiomatic)To defeat severely, to thrash.
defeat thoroughly
To collect one's chips and cash out.
To attribute, chalk up.
Examples
3 sentencesThe biggest regrets for college graduates are the huge debts they’ve racked up.
Tom racked up a lot of debt because he was living beyond his means.
When one of my coworkers starts racking up good sales figures I can't let down my guard.
Forms
racks up, racking up, racked up, racked up| Base form | rack up · to rack up |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | racks up |
| Present participle | racking up |
| Past simple | racked up |
| Past participle | racked up |
irregular
Phrasal verbs
3 phrasal verbsSynonyms
7 synonymsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb