What Does “Fatten sth up” Mean?
“Fatten sth up” means to make something or someone fatter or to add more detail or content to something to make it fuller or richer.
Introduction
The phrase “fatten sth up” is a common phrasal verb used in English with two main meanings. Firstly, it can refer to making a person, animal, or object physically fatter by adding weight. Secondly, it is often used metaphorically to describe adding more information, detail, or content to something, such as a story, report, or argument. Understanding the “fatten sth up meaning” helps learners use this phrase appropriately in different contexts. This guide explains how to use the phrasal verb clearly, with examples and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: fatten something up
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To make something or someone fatter or fuller, or to add more details or content
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Fatten sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Verb + object + particle: fatten the pig up
- Verb + particle + object: fatten up the pig
Both structures are correct and commonly used.
How to Use “Fatten sth up”?
Use “fatten sth up” when talking about increasing someone’s or something’s weight, especially animals or people. It is also used when you want to add more information or detail to something to make it more interesting or complete.
For example, a farmer might fatten up livestock before selling it. A writer might fatten up an article by adding more examples and explanations.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “fatten sth up in a sentence”:
- The farmer is trying to fatten up the cows before winter.
- She decided to fatten up her resume by including more volunteer work.
- We need to fatten up the report with additional data and analysis.
- He spent months fattening up his savings before buying a house.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the placement of the object or use the verb incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She fatten up the dog. (Missing object placement)
- Correct: She fattened the dog up. (Correct separable form)
- Incorrect: I want to fatten up my essay it. (Wrong object placement)
- Correct: I want to fatten my essay up. (Correct separable form)
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “bulk up” and “pad out.”
- Bulk up usually refers to gaining muscle or increasing size, often used in fitness contexts.
- Pad out means to add unnecessary details to make something longer, often with a negative tone.
- Fatten sth up can be neutral or positive, focusing on making something fuller or more substantial.
Common Collocations
“Fatten sth up” is often used with certain objects. Here are common collocations and their meanings:
- Livestock: Animals like cows or pigs made fatter before sale.
- Resume/CV: Adding more details to make it stronger.
- Report/Article: Adding information to make it more detailed.
- Story: Adding extra events or descriptions to make it longer or more interesting.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of fatten sth up:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “fatten sth up”:
Anna: I think my presentation is too short.
Ben: You should fatten it up with more examples and facts.
Anna: Good idea! That will make it clearer and more convincing.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) She is fattening up the dog before the show.
- B) She is fattening the dog before up the show.
- C) She is fattening the dog before the show up.
Answer: A
FAQs
- Q: Can “fatten sth up” be used for people?
A: Yes, it can mean helping someone gain weight.
- Q: Is “fatten sth up” always about weight?
A: No, it can also mean adding more detail or content.
- Q: Can I separate the object from the phrasal verb?
A: Yes, “fatten the pig up” and “fatten up the pig” are both correct.
- Q: Is “fatten sth up” formal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
- Q: What is a synonym for “fatten sth up” when talking about writing?
A: “Pad out” or “expand” can be used, but “pad out” may sound negative.
