wind up — 4 meanings

Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.

phrasal verb4 meanings

wind upsame phrase

Which one do you mean?

make tense or annoyed

Don't let him wind you up, he's only saying it to get a reaction.

finish something

Let's wind up the meeting so everyone can get home on time.

end up in a situation (often unintentionally)

We took a wrong turn and wound up in a completely different town.

provoke deliberately

He loves to wind his little sister up by hiding her toys.

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B2informalspoken

to deliberately make someone tense, annoyed, or angry, often by teasing or provoking them

Don't let him wind you up, he's only saying it to get a reaction.

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B1neutralboth

to bring something to an end, especially a meeting, event, or activity.

Let's wind up the meeting so everyone can get home on time.

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B2informalspoken

to find yourself in a particular situation, especially one you did not plan or expect.

We took a wrong turn and wound up in a completely different town.

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C1informalspoken

to deliberately tease, annoy, or provoke someone, often in a playful or irritating way.

He loves to wind his little sister up by hiding her toys.

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