Send sb up Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Send sb up” Mean?

“Send sb up” means to imitate or make fun of someone in a playful or mocking way. It can also mean to officially send someone to prison or court.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “send sb up” has two main meanings. The first is to tease or mock someone by copying their behavior, often in a funny or exaggerated way. This use is common in informal conversations and entertainment. The second meaning is more formal and refers to sending someone to prison or court, usually by an official authority. Understanding the “send sb up meaning” helps learners use it correctly in different situations. This guide covers both meanings with examples, grammar rules, and common mistakes to avoid.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: send somebody up
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to tease someone by imitating them / to officially send someone to prison or court

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Send sb up” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (somebody) between “send” and “up” or after the phrase.

• Send somebody up
• Send up somebody

Both are correct, but the first is more common in everyday speech.

How to Use Send sb up?

Use “send sb up” when you want to describe someone making fun of another person by copying their actions or words. It is often friendly teasing but can sometimes be sarcastic. In legal or formal contexts, use it to say that a person was officially sent to jail or trial.

Examples

Here are some examples to help you understand how to use “send sb up” in a sentence:

• At the party, Jake sent up his teacher by copying her funny gestures.
• The comedian sent up the president in his latest show.
• The judge decided to send him up for two years after the trial.
• She was sent up to prison for fraud.
• They always send up their boss when he makes mistakes during meetings.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “send sb up” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly in formal writing.

• Incorrect: She sent up her friend with a joke.
  Correct: She sent up her friend by making a joke about him.
• Incorrect: The police sent him up the court.
  Correct: The police sent him up to court.
• Incorrect: I will send up the package tomorrow.
  Correct: I will send the package tomorrow. (“Send up” is not used for sending items by mail.)

Differences / Synonyms

“Send sb up” (to tease) is similar to “make fun of,” “mock,” or “poke fun at.” However, “send sb up” often implies a playful or exaggerated imitation.

For the legal meaning, “send sb up” is similar to “imprison,” “detain,” or “remand,” but it usually refers to formally sending someone to court or prison.

Common Collocations

People often use “send sb up” with these objects:

• Send up a comedian – imitate someone humorously
• Send up a politician – mock a public figure
• Send up a prisoner – officially send someone to jail
• Send up a defendant – send someone to court

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of send sb up:

• Send Sth Ahead
• Send For Sth
• Send Sb Down
• Send Sth In
• Send Sth Off

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “send sb up”:

Anna: Did you see Tom send up the new manager during the meeting?

Ben: Yeah, it was hilarious. He copied his way of speaking perfectly.

Anna: I hope the manager took it well!

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “send sb up”:

• She loves to _______ her older brother by copying his dance moves.
• The court decided to _______ the suspect for six months.
• During the show, the actor _______ the famous singer in a funny way.
• The police _______ the criminal to prison last week.

FAQ

• What does “send sb up” mean? It means to tease someone by imitating them or to officially send someone to prison or court.
• Is “send sb up” formal or informal? It can be both. The teasing meaning is informal, and the legal meaning is formal.
• Can I use “send sb up” for sending letters or packages? No, “send sb up” is not used for sending items by mail or delivery.
• Is “send sb up” separable? Yes, you can say “send somebody up” or “send up somebody.”
• What are some synonyms for “send sb up”? For teasing: mock, make fun of. For legal use: imprison, detain.