stay up
/steɪ ʌp/
Meaning
This phrasal verb means to remain awake and not go to bed, especially past your usual bedtime. It is commonly used when talking about watching movies, studying late, or working into the night.
Examples
-
I stayed up late last night to finish watching the movie.
I stayed up late last night to finish watching the movie.
-
Don't stay up too late tonight; we have an early flight tomorrow.
Don't stay up too late tonight; we have an early flight tomorrow.
-
My kids love to stay up on weekends to play video games.
My kids love to stay up on weekends to play video games.
-
I had to stay up all night to study for my final chemistry exam.
I had to stay up all night to study for my final chemistry exam.
-
She usually stays up until midnight reading books.
She usually stays up until midnight reading books.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ I stayed awake late last night.
✓ I stayed up late last night.
While 'stayed awake' is grammatically possible, 'stayed up late' is the idiomatic phrasal verb native speakers use for not going to bed.
-
✗ I will stay up to 2 AM.
✓ I will stay up until 2 AM.
Use 'until' or 'till' to show the time limit of remaining awake, not 'to'.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
Please don't ___ waiting for me; I might be home very late.
💡 remain awake
Show answer
stay up
-
I always ___ late on Friday nights because I don't work on Saturdays.
💡 go to bed late
Show answer
stay up