Meaning of the English Phrasal Verb

WRAP UP

English teaching for English Language Learners (ELL) who are learning English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as an Additional Language (EAL)

wrap up
wrap something up
wrap up something

Definition 1:

cover or enclose something with fabric or paper, especially in order to give it as a gift, or to protect it

Examples:

1. Let’s wrap this gift up and give it to her tomorrow.

2. My wedding dressed is wrapped up in special paper and stored in our attic.

Definition 2:

complete a job, an activity or a meeting

Examples:

1. I’m going to wrap up for the weekend and head home now. I can finish the last part of this project on Monday morning.

2. Let’s wrap this meeting up and if anyone has any questions they can email them to me.

3. “I think that about wraps it up. Thank you for your cooperation in answering questions about the robbery. We will call you if we have any further questions,” the police officer said.

Definition 3:

to wrap oneself up means to dress in extra warm clothing before going outside in cold weather (e.g., scarf, mittens, hat)

(Bundle up means the same thing.)

Examples:

1. Wrap up kids! It’s cold out there tonight!

2. She wrapped herself up in her warmest ski jacket, a toque* and mittens.

*What’s a toque? In Canada, a toque refers to a warm knitted cap, traditionally made of wool and usually worn in winter.

Definition 4:

to be wrapped up in someone/something means to be very focused on the person or thing, and to either not have time for other things or to not pay attention to other things

Examples:

1. She’s so wrapped up in her work, she never comes to family dinners on holidays.

2. He’s so wrapped up in his relationship with that woman, I don’t think he has even noticed that his grandmother is sick.

3. He complains that his wife is completely wrapped up in their children and he feels like he is an inconvenience in his own home.

present –	WRAP UP
present participle –	WRAPPING UP
past –	WRAPPED UP
past participle –	WRAPPED UP

Phrasal Verb List