Spew sth up Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Spew sth up” Mean?

“Spew sth up” means to vomit or throw up something from the stomach through the mouth.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “spew sth up” is commonly used to describe the action of vomiting. It is often used in informal contexts when someone or something forcefully expels stomach contents. The phrase “spew sth up meaning” refers to this specific action of throwing up, which can happen due to illness, food poisoning, or strong emotions. Understanding how to use “spew sth up” correctly will help you describe situations involving vomiting in a natural and fluent way.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: spew something up
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to vomit or throw up something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Spew sth up” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object (something) between the verb and the particle “up” or after it.

• Verb + object + up: She spewed the food up.
• Verb + up + object: She spewed up the food.

Both structures are correct and commonly used in everyday English.

How to Use Spew sth up?

Use “spew sth up” when describing vomiting in informal conversations or writing. It often refers to the physical act of ejecting stomach content in a sudden or forceful way. The object (sth) usually refers to the food, drink, or substance vomited.

Example: After eating the spoiled fish, he spewed it up immediately.

Examples

When my little brother got sick, he spewed up his lunch all over the floor. It was a messy situation!

• She felt so nauseous that she spewed up everything she had eaten.
• The baby spewed up his milk after feeding.
• He spewed up the strange taste from the medicine.
• After the roller coaster, she spewed up due to motion sickness.
• They found the dog spewing up its food in the kitchen.

These examples show how to use “spew sth up in a sentence” to describe vomiting clearly.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the word order or forget to include the object when using “spew sth up.”

• Incorrect: He spewed up.
• Correct: He spewed up his dinner.
• Incorrect: She spewed up quickly.
• Correct: She spewed the food up quickly.

Remember, “spew sth up” requires an object to specify what is being vomited.

Differences / Synonyms

“Spew sth up” is similar to “throw sth up” and “puke.” However, “spew” sounds more forceful and often more graphic.

• Throw sth up: common and informal; less intense than “spew.”
• Puke: very informal and sometimes rude.
• Spew sth up: emphasizes the force or volume of vomiting.

Use “spew sth up” for vivid descriptions, especially in storytelling or casual speech.

Common Collocations

People often use “spew sth up” with specific objects related to food or drink. Here are common collocations:

• Spew food up – vomit what was eaten.
• Spew milk up – common for babies.
• Spew drink up – vomit liquids consumed.
• Spew water up – sometimes after swallowing water accidentally.
• Spew bile up – vomit stomach acid.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of spew sth up:

• Spew Sth Out

Real-life Dialogue

In everyday conversations, people use “spew sth up” to explain sickness or accidents.

Anna: Oh no, what happened to you?

Tom: I ate some bad seafood and spewed it up all night.

Anna: That sounds awful! Are you feeling better now?

Tom: A little. I just need to rest.

Practice

Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “spew sth up.”

• After the roller coaster, she ________ her lunch ________.
• The baby often ________ milk ________ after feeding.
• He felt sick and ________ the strange taste ________.

FAQ

• Q: Can I use “spew up” without an object?
  A: It is possible but less common. Usually, the object specifies what is vomited.
• Q: Is “spew sth up” formal language?
  A: No, it is informal and often used in casual speech.
• Q: What is the difference between “spew up” and “throw up”?
  A: “Spew up” sounds stronger and more forceful than “throw up.”
• Q: Can “spew sth up” be used figuratively?
  A: Rarely. It mainly describes vomiting physically.
• Q: Is “spew” used in British or American English?
  A: It is used in both but is more common in British English.