write up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 to write a report or article using notes you made earlierTo create a full report, article, or document from notes or rough ideas you took before.
2 evaluate formallyTo produce a formal, often critical, evaluation or assessment of someone or something, especially in a professional, academic, or business context.

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Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

to write a report or article using notes you made earlier

B1write sth upMost common

To create a full report, article, or document from notes or rough ideas you took before.

After the meeting, I need to write up the minutes so everyone knows what was discussed.

A: Did you finish your science experiment?
B: Yes, now I just have to write up my results for the teacher.

In my last job, I often had to write up reports based on the data we collected during the week.

Common mistake

✗I need to write up it tonight.

✓I need to write it up tonight.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'write it up'.

Tell it apart

I wrote up the experiment.

turned notes into a report

I wrote down the results.

noted them quickly

Use 'write up' when you turn your notes or research into a finished piece of writing, like a report or article.'Write down' means to make a quick note; 'write up' means to make a full, organized version.

Often paired with

write up + document

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evaluate formally

C1write up sb/sth

To produce a formal, often critical, evaluation or assessment of someone or something, especially in a professional, academic, or business context.

The manager decided to write up the employee for repeated lateness, which will go on his record.

A: Did you hear about Mark?
B: Yeah, apparently his supervisor wrote him up after that incident in the meeting.

In some organisations, supervisors are required to write up staff members who violate company policy, ensuring that there is a formal record of any misconduct.

Common mistake

✗She was written up of poor performance.

✓She was written up for poor performance.

'Write someone up FOR' something — not 'of'.

Tell it apart

The boss wrote her up for the error.

filed a formal report on her

She wrote up the meeting notes.

drafted them from notes — sense

'Write up' in this sense is typically used in professional, academic, or business settings to mean giving a formal evaluation, often as part of a review process. It can carry a slightly negative connotation if the evaluation is critical.This sense is different from the B1 meaning of 'write up' (to create a report from notes), as it focuses on the act of formally evaluating or assessing, not just reporting information.

Often paired with

write up + for

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to write a report or article using notes you made earlier evaluate formally