To continue my lessons on phrasal verbs with the word “up,” these

examples use “up” to mean “to stop”.

“Let up”: used when it stops snowing or raining.
Examples:
- The weather is so bad today, the rain won’t let up.
(Meaning it won’t stop raining.)
- I wish the snow would let up.
(Meaning “I wish the snow would stop.)


“Give up”: to quit or stop trying to do something.
- I can’t win the game. I think I’m just going to give up.
- I’m going to give up eating meat.
(Meaning “I’m going to quit eating meat.)


“Own up”: used when you stop keeping a secret and finally tell the truth.
Examples:
- I told my mom I didn’t eat her last cookie even though I did eat it. Should I own up to it?
(Meaning “Should I tell her I ate her cookie?”)
- She owned up to stealing her boyfriend’s money.
(Meaning she told her boyfriend she stole the money.)


“Hold up”: used when meaning “to wait.”
Example:
- Hold up! I need to get something to eat!
(Meaning “Wait! I need to get something to eat!”)

“Hold up” can also be used as a noun when talking about traffic.
- There was a hold up on the highway due to a car crash.