What Does “Hurry sb up” Mean?
“Hurry sb up” means to ask or tell someone to do something more quickly. It is used when you want someone to speed up their actions.
Introduction
The phrase “hurry sb up” is a common phrasal verb in English. It is often used when you want to encourage someone to move faster or complete a task quickly. Understanding the “hurry sb up meaning” helps learners communicate urgency politely or firmly. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, whether at work, school, or social situations. Knowing how to use it correctly allows you to express impatience or a need for speed without sounding rude. In this guide, we will explore the meaning, grammar structure, examples, and common mistakes to help you master this phrase.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: hurry sb up -> hurry somebody up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to tell or ask someone to do something faster
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Hurry sb up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between “hurry” and “up” or after “up.”
- Correct: Hurry him up.
- Correct: Hurry up him. (less common, but possible in informal speech)
- Incorrect: Hurry up.
Note: When using pronouns, place the object between “hurry” and “up” for natural sound. For example, “Hurry her up,” not “Hurry up her.”
How to Use “Hurry sb up”?
Use “hurry sb up” when you want to politely or firmly ask someone to do something faster. It can be used in many situations, such as asking a friend to get ready quickly or reminding a colleague to finish work sooner. It often implies some impatience but can be softened with tone or additional words like “please.”
Examples
Imagine you are waiting for a friend who is late. You might say:
- Can you hurry me up? I’m running late.
- She hurried him up because the train was about to leave.
- The teacher hurried the students up to finish the test on time.
- Don’t hurry me up, I want to do it carefully.
- He hurried up his sister to catch the bus.
These sentences show how “hurry sb up” can be used in real life.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the correct word order or use the wrong form. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Hurry up him to finish.
- Correct: Hurry him up to finish.
- Incorrect: Hurry up to the store (when asking someone else to go faster).
- Correct: Hurry up! (used alone to tell someone to be quick)
Remember, “hurry sb up” always needs an object (someone) after “hurry.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “rush sb,” “speed sb up,” and “push sb.” However, there are subtle differences:
- Rush sb: Often implies forcing someone to do something quickly, sometimes with pressure.
- Speed sb up: Less common, but means to make someone faster, often by external help.
- Push sb: Means to encourage or pressure someone to act faster, possibly emotionally.
“Hurry sb up” is the most neutral and commonly used phrase to politely ask for faster action.
Common Collocations
We often use “hurry sb up” with certain objects or in specific contexts. Some common collocations are:
- Hurry the process up: Make a procedure faster.
- Hurry the team up: Ask a group to speed up their work.
- Hurry the decision up: Request a faster decision.
- Hurry the delivery up: Ask for quicker shipment or arrival.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of hurry sb up:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “hurry sb up”:
Anna: The movie starts in 10 minutes. Can you hurry me up?
Ben: Sure! Let’s get your popcorn quickly.
Anna: Thanks! I don’t want to miss the beginning.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “hurry sb up”:
- We need to __________ the waiter up because we are late for the show.
- She told her brother to __________ up or they would miss the bus.
- Can you __________ me up? I’m taking too long.
FAQs
- Q: Is “hurry sb up” formal?
A: It is informal but polite enough for everyday use.
- Q: Can I say “hurry up him”?
A: It is less common; “hurry him up” is preferred.
- Q: What is the difference between “hurry up” and “hurry sb up”?
“Hurry up” is used alone to tell someone to be quick. “Hurry sb up” means to ask someone else to be faster.
- Q: Can I use “hurry sb up” with things?
Usually, it is used with people, but you can use it with processes or decisions metaphorically.
- Q: Is “hurry sb up” separable?
Yes, the object can come between “hurry” and “up.”
