round up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘round up’ mean?
The idiom *round up* means to gather or collect people or things together, usually for a specific purpose or to ensure everyone is accounted for.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "round the clock" means continuously or without stopping, emphasizing the full 24 hours of a day.
The idiom "round the bend" means to go crazy or become mentally unstable.
The idiom "rough around the edges" means that someone or something may appear imperfect or unrefined, but still has potential or qualities that make them interesting or valuable.
The idiom "revolve around" means to be focused or centered on a particular thing or person, where everything else is influenced or determined by it.
The idiom "rally round" means to come together and provide support or assistance to someone or something in a time of need or difficulty.
The idiom "rally around" means to come together as a group to support a person or cause, especially in difficult times.
The idiom "rake together" means to gather or collect something, usually in a hurried or hurried manner. It is often used to describe the act of gathering money or resources, typically in a last-minute or desperate situation.
FAIL
The idiom "round up" has multiple meanings and uses in American English. It can be traced back to the practice of rounding up cattle or other animals on a ranch. The idiom has since evolved to have metaphorical and figurative meanings in various contexts.
One commonly used meaning of "round up" is to gather or collect people or things together. For example, "let's rally round the team for a meeting" or "ask round to see who wants to go out tonight." The image of rounding up cattle reflects the action of bringing things together in a unified group.
Another usage of "round up" is to increase or raise a quantity or number to the nearest whole number or a convenient figure. For example, if the bill at a restaurant comes to $37.50, it is customary to round up to $38 for convenience and simplicity. This can also be applied to rounding up statistics or estimates.
In legal contexts, "round up" can refer to the arrest or capture of criminals or suspects. The police may rally round and round up the suspects. This usage emphasizes the idea of gathering or bringing in people who are considered to be outside the boundaries of the law.
It is important to note that "round up" can also have negative connotations. In some cases, it may imply a forceful or coercive action. For example, the authorities may ask round and round up dissenters, suggesting a suppression of opposing voices or views. This darker aspect of the idiom highlights the potential abuse of power or authority.
Furthermore, "round up" can be used in sports or gaming contexts to describe the concluding or final stage of a competition or event. It signifies the end of a series of rounds or rounds of play. This usage is often seen in boxing or martial arts, where the term "round up" indicates the end of a particular round of fighting.
The idiom "round up" has diverse meanings and uses in American English. It originated from the practice of gathering or collecting animals on a ranch, but it has evolved to encompass various metaphorical, figurative, and contextual interpretations. Whether it is used to refer to group gathering, increasing quantities, legal arrests, negative coercion, or the conclusion of a sports event, the idiom reflects the complexity and versatility of language.
Example usage
In order to plan for the event, let's round up the number of attendees.
The children were asked to round up their toys and put them away.
The police officer decided to round up the suspects and bring them in for questioning.
The idiom "round up" can be used to express several ideas in different contexts. One way it is used is to indicate gathering or collecting things or people together. For example, in the sentence "In order to plan for the event, let's round up the number of attendees," the phrase is used to suggest bringing together or calculating the total number of participants for the event. Another way "round up" is used is when tidying up or organizing objects. In the sentence "The children were asked to round up their toys and put them away," the idiom means collecting and putting away the toys in an organized manner. Additionally, "round up" can also mean to gather or apprehend people, often used in law enforcement. In the sentence "The police officer decided to round up the suspects and bring them in for questioning," it is used to describe capturing or arresting individuals regarded as suspects. Overall, the idiom "round up" can denote the act of gathering, collecting, organizing, or capturing, depending on the context it is used within.
More "Gather" idioms
