pack up
phrasal verb
packed up; packing up; packs up
1
: to gather one's belongings together and put them in a suitcase or other container for traveling
He packed up and left town.
2
British, informal
: to stop or quit
She packs up when things become difficult.
3
British, informal
: to stop working properly
The lift has packed up, so you'll have to take the stairs to her flat.
Examples of pack up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But don’t pack up your sweaters just yet.
—
Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Not surprisingly, Emma packed up her backs and split.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
When Japan invaded China in 1937, seventy-seven Chinese universities packed up their libraries, students, and staff to flee inland.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders who had helped prop up the regime began to pack up and leave.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pack up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Not surprisingly, Emma packed up her backs and split.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
When Japan invaded China in 1937, seventy-seven Chinese universities packed up their libraries, students, and staff to flee inland.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders who had helped prop up the regime began to pack up and leave.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pack up
Cite this Entry
“Pack up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pack%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
