What Does “Fatten sb up” Mean?
“Fatten sb up” means to make someone gain weight, usually by feeding them a lot or giving them rich food.
Introduction
The phrase “fatten sb up” is a common English phrasal verb used when talking about increasing a person’s weight. It often implies feeding someone generously or making sure they eat well, sometimes to the point of gaining extra pounds. The fatten sb up meaning can apply in both literal and figurative contexts, such as caring for a child or joking about eating too much during holidays. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly will help you sound more natural in English and improve your vocabulary for everyday conversations.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: fatten somebody up
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To make someone gain weight by feeding them well
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Fatten sb up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) between “fatten” and “up” or after the whole phrase.
- I fattened him up with delicious meals.
- I fattened up my nephew before his trip.
Both forms are correct and commonly used.
How to Use “Fatten sb up”?
You use “fatten sb up” when talking about helping someone gain weight, usually by providing plenty of food. It can be literal, like feeding a child or an animal, or figurative, like joking about overeating. It often carries a caring or humorous tone.
Examples
When visiting grandparents, children often get fattened up with homemade treats.
- My aunt always fattened me up during summer holidays with cakes and ice cream.
- The farmer fattened up the pigs before selling them.
- She said she wanted to fatten me up before the wedding.
- They fattened up the guest with a big dinner.
These examples show how “fatten sb up” is used in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “fatten sb up” with similar verbs or use it incorrectly with the object after “up.”
- Incorrect: I fatten up him with food.
- Correct: I fattened him up with food.
- Incorrect: She fattened up.
- Correct: She fattened up her son.
Remember, “fatten sb up” needs a person or animal as the object.
Differences / Synonyms
“Fatten sb up” is similar to “feed up” and “bulk up,” but they have different meanings.
- Feed up: To provide enough food, not necessarily to gain weight.
- Bulk up: To gain muscle mass, often used in fitness.
- Fatten sb up: Specifically means to make someone gain fat or weight.
Use “fatten sb up” when focusing on weight gain due to eating a lot.
Common Collocations
Here are some common words used with “fatten sb up”:
- Fatten sb up with food: To feed someone a lot.
- Fatten sb up before an event: To help someone gain weight for a special reason.
- Fatten sb up quickly: To increase weight in a short time.
- Fatten sb up on treats: To feed sweets or snacks.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of fatten sb up:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a simple conversation using “fatten sb up”:
Anna: My grandma always fattened me up when I visited her.
Tom: Really? How did she do that?
Anna: Lots of cakes, pies, and big dinners every day!
Practice
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence:
- My parents ______ me up before the holidays with extra meals.
- a) fattened
- b) feeded
- c) bulked
Answer: a) fattened
Fill in the blank:
She wants to ______ her son up before the school sports season.
(Answer: fatten)
FAQs
- Q: Is “fatten sb up” polite to use?
A: It can be casual or humorous but may be rude if used about someone’s weight directly. - Q: Can “fatten sb up” be used for animals?
A: Yes, it is often used for animals like pigs or cows. - Q: What is the opposite of “fatten sb up”?
A: The opposite is “slim sb down” or “put sb on a diet.” - Q: Can “fatten sb up” be used figuratively?
A: Sometimes, in jokes about eating too much or preparing someone well. - Q: Is “fatten sb up” formal English?
A: No, it is informal and more common in everyday speech.
