English Idiom · Intermediate
up sticks
To prepare to move
Pronunciation: /ˌʌp ˈstɪks/
Meaning
To prepare to move; to pack up; to go and live in a different place.
Example
If a doctor had to do an operation in a sailing ship, you upped sticks and went before the wind, he said.
If a doctor had to do an operation in a sailing ship, you upped sticks and went before the wind, he said.
Practice tips
- Practice up sticks out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English idiom is for intermediate-level learners.