rack up — accumulate (especially something negative or measurable, e.g. debts, points, losses, injuries)
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+informaloccasional
to gradually collect or achieve a large number or amount of something, especially something that can be counted or measured, often with a negative or competitive connotation.
Say it like a native
Textbook He has accumulated a substantial quantity of debt.
Native He's racked up a load of debt.
'Rack up' is the casual verb for piling up totals; 'accumulate a substantial quantity' is formal.
Pattern: rack up + noun (object)
In use
- He managed to rack up thousands of dollars in credit card debt before he even graduated.money
- During my university years, I unfortunately racked up several late fees because I kept forgetting to return library books on time.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ They racked up on debts.
✓ They racked up debts.
'Rack up' takes the object directly — no 'on'.
Common collocations
rack up + total— debts, points, miles, fines
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic sense of 'collect' or 'get', 'rack up' suggests a build-up over time, often with a sense of excess or competition. It is not used for physical objects you can hold, but for things like numbers, scores, or problems.