What Does โNotch sth upโ Mean?
โNotch sth upโ means to achieve or increase something, often a score, level, or success. It usually refers to improving or gaining an advantage.
Introduction
The phrase โNotch sth upโ is a common English phrasal verb used to describe the action of increasing or achieving something, such as points, goals, or successes. Understanding the notch sth up meaning helps learners express progress or improvement in various contexts, from sports to business. This phrasal verb is informal and often used in spoken English to highlight accomplishments or raise standards. Knowing how to use โnotch sth upโ correctly can make your English sound more natural and dynamic.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Notch something up
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To achieve or increase a score, level, or success
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โNotch sth upโ is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object (something) can come between โnotchโ and โup,โ or after โup.โ
- Notch something up
- Notch up something
Examples:
- She notched up five goals in the match.
- He notched up a new personal best.
How to Use โNotch sth upโ?
Use โnotch sth upโ when you want to talk about increasing or achieving something measurable. It is often used in sports, business, or any situation where progress or success is counted. The phrase can describe raising a score, achieving a target, or reaching a new level of performance.
Examples
Imagine a football player who scores several goals in one game. You could say:
- He notched up three goals last night.
- Our sales team notched up a 20% increase this quarter.
- She notched up a promotion after working hard for years.
- The company notched up record profits last year.
- The athlete notched up his best time in the 100m sprint.
These examples show how โnotch sth upโ highlights achievement or improvement clearly in a sentence.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the structure or meaning of โnotch sth up.โ Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: She notched up the goal three. (Word order mistake)
- Correct: She notched up three goals.
- Incorrect: We notched up on the success. (Unnecessary preposition)
- Correct: We notched up success.
Remember, โnotch sth upโ usually takes a direct object without extra prepositions.
Differences / Synonyms
โNotch sth upโ is similar to phrases like โrack up,โ โscore,โ or โachieve.โ However, each has subtle differences:
- Rack up: Often used for accumulating points or debts, more informal.
- Score: Specifically for points or goals in games.
- Achieve: More formal, broader meaning of success.
โNotch sth upโ emphasizes the act of increasing or hitting a new level, often with pride or satisfaction.
Common Collocations
โNotch sth upโ often pairs with specific nouns that show measurable success or progress. Common collocations include:
- Goals: Achieving targets in sports or work.
- Points: Increasing scores in games or tests.
- Sales: Raising business figures.
- Wins: Gaining victories in competitions.
- Success: General achievement.
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a natural conversation using โnotch sth upโ:
Anna: Did you hear? Our team notched up ten goals in the tournament!
Ben: Wow, thatโs impressive! They really notched up their game this season.
Anna: Yes, and the coach said they plan to notch up their training even more.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โnotch sth upโ:
- He _______ (notch) five points in the final match.
- Our company hopes to _______ (notch) a 15% increase in sales.
- They _______ (notch) a big win against their rivals.
FAQs
- Q: Can โnotch sth upโ be used in formal writing?
A: It is more common in informal or spoken English but can be used in casual writing.
- Q: Is โnotch sth upโ separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the object from the phrasal verb.
- Q: What types of things can you โnotch upโ?
A: Scores, goals, sales, wins, and other measurable achievements.
- Q: Is โnotch sth upโ only for positive achievements?
A: Mostly yes, it refers to improving or achieving something good.
- Q: Can I say โnotch up successโ?
A: Yes, itโs a common collocation.
