Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to connect up

to connect up

1 3.3
To join machines so they can share power or information using wires
  • phrasal verb
  • /kəˈnɛkt ʌp/
translation icon : conectar
  • Irish renewable energy developer Element Power just got the go-ahead from National Grid UK to connect up to 3,000 MW of wind-generated electricity from its proposed project in the Midlands of Ireland to the UK grid.
  • connect up to four

Edges, Well, an edge connects up two nodes.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • So we're going to mount it here, connect up all the USB cables, then wire up its Molex power cable.

  • So I'm just going to connect up the Wi-Fi hotspot.

  • So we're going to connect that up to our positive lead.

  • So if we connect three guys up, what are we going to see?

  • So let's connect them up like this and like this and like this.

  • And now I'm going to connect this up to some source, OK.

  • So let's connect them up and compare their performance.

  • So what we do is we connect up one of the points to all its nearest neighbours.

  • Toss all the test and production servers into Windows Azure, connect them up with a virtual network, and empty your datacenter.

    Blog text (5)

  • You can connect up the printer to your computer using the USB cable.

Synonyms

to connect
vsto connect up
445 2.7

Attach something to power or a network so it works

focuses on creating a practical link often using physical means
to link
vsto connect up
442 1.1

To join two things together physically

is aimed particularly at making devices or systems work together
to hook up
vsto connect up
213 3.7

To connect devices so they work together

is broader and can mean establishing a link not only by wiring
to interface
vsto connect up
  • Specialized
30 4.2

To connect two systems or devices so they can work together

is more about physically making a direct link, not data exchange focus
to link up
vsto connect up
  • Informal
9 3.0

To join people, places, or things so they become connected

is focused on linking devices or system components specifically
to network
vsto connect up
  • Specialized
9 3.2

Connect computers or devices so they can share information

is narrower, usually meaning a single link between specific components
to interconnect
vsto connect up
5 4.7

Join things so they can work together

is simpler, often describing a one-way or single link rather than mutual
to jack in
vsto connect up
  • Jargon
2 8.1

To connect to a computer system or network by logging on

is more general and covers many devices beyond computer access
to link-up
vsto connect up
  • Specialized
1 3.7

To connect devices or systems so they can work together

is the general act of establishing a connection between components
to couple up
vsto connect up
4.7

To join two machines or vehicles so they are connected

is broader and covers linking many components, not only pairs

Antonyms

to disconnect
161 3.5

To separate something so it is no longer joined, for example remove a cable or turn off power

to unplug
28 2.6

To take a plug out of a wall socket so an electric device stops getting power

How Well

to integrate
179 4.1
to link-up
  • Specialized
1 3.7
to connect up
1 3.3
to plug in
54 2.8

Surface Forms

connect up infinitive
connected up past
connected up past participle
connecting up present participle
connects up third person singular

Morphology

connect + up

The meaning 'to establish a link' is directly derivable from 'connect' (to link or attach) with 'up' functioning as a particle that signals completion or direction; the particle does not introduce an unrelated idiomatic sense. This is a transparent, compositional phrasal verb common in technical contexts and readily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The phrasal verb connect up comes from the simple image of joining cables or parts so power or data can flow. The parts connect (join) and up (finish or make ready) show making a complete link, so it means 'to make a link between devices or systems'.