Is "spits sth up" formal or informal?

It is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.

Can adults "spit something up"?

Yes, but it is more commonly used with babies or young children.

What is the difference between "spit up" and "throw up"?

"Spit up" is usually a small amount and less serious; "throw up" means vomiting forcefully.

Is "spits sth up" separable?

Yes, the object usually comes between "spits" and "up."

Spits sth up Meaning, Examples & How to Use in Sentences

What Does “Spits sth up” Mean?

“Spits sth up” means to eject or throw out something from the mouth, often unintentionally. It is commonly used to describe when babies or people expel food or liquid.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “spits sth up” is often used in everyday English to describe the action of forcefully or accidentally pushing something out of the mouth. Most frequently, it refers to babies who spit up milk or food after feeding. Understanding the “spits sth up meaning” helps learners describe similar actions clearly and naturally. This phrase can also be used in informal contexts when adults accidentally spit out food or drink. Knowing how to use “spits sth up” correctly can improve both your speaking and writing skills.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: spits something up
Type: Transitive
Level: A2–B1
Short meaning: To eject something from the mouth, usually food or liquid

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Spits sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

Subject + spits + something + up (e.g., He spits the milk up.)
Subject + spits up + something (less common but possible in informal speech)

The most natural and common form is placing the object between the verb and “up.”

How to Use Spits sth up?

Use “spits sth up” to describe when someone, especially a baby, forces liquid or food out of their mouth. It is often used in the past tense but can be used in present and future forms depending on the context.

Examples include talking about babies after feeding or describing a person accidentally spitting out food while eating.

Examples

Babies often spit up after feeding because their digestive systems are still developing.

The baby spits the milk up after every feeding.
She spit her coffee up when she heard the surprising news.
Sometimes, toddlers spit up their food when they are full.
He accidentally spat the juice up on his shirt.
My nephew spits up a little after drinking too fast.

Here are some clear examples of “spits sth up in a sentence” to help you understand how to use it naturally.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “spits sth up” with similar phrases or use incorrect word order.

Incorrect: She spits up the milk.
Correct: She spits the milk up.
Incorrect: The baby spit uped the food.
Correct: The baby spit up the food.

Remember, the past tense of “spit” is “spit” or “spat,” not “spit uped.”

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “throw up,” “vomit,” and “burp,” but each has a specific meaning.

Throw up / Vomit: More formal and stronger, meaning to forcefully empty stomach contents.
Burp: To release air from the stomach through the mouth.
Spit sth up: Usually small amounts of food or liquid, often accidental and less severe.

Understanding these differences helps you choose the right phrase for the right situation.

Common Collocations

When using “spits sth up,” it is common to mention what is being spat out.

Milk: The most common object, especially with babies.
Food: Solid or semi-solid items.
Juice/Drink: Liquid beverages.
Water: Often used in examples with babies or children.

These collocations help make your sentences more natural and specific.

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “spits sth up” naturally.

Mom: Did the baby eat well today?

Dad: Yes, but he spit the milk up twice after feeding.

Mom: That’s normal for him. He usually spits some milk up when he’s full.

Practice

Try to fill in the blank with the correct form of “spits sth up.”

The baby often _______ _______ after drinking his bottle.
She accidentally _______ _______ her tea when she laughed.
Sometimes toddlers _______ _______ their food when they are tired.

FAQ

What does “spits sth up” mean? It means to eject food or liquid from the mouth, often unintentionally.
Is “spits sth up” formal or informal? It is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.
Can adults “spit something up”? Yes, but it is more commonly used with babies or young children.
What is the difference between “spit up” and “throw up”? “Spit up” is usually a small amount and less serious; “throw up” means vomiting forcefully.
Is “spits sth up” separable? Yes, the object usually comes between “spits” and “up.”