English · Daily Life

end up

/end ʌp/

[/end ʌp/]

finish in a state

Intermediateverb

Definition

To finally be in a particular place or situation, often unexpectedly.

Example

We got lost on the way home and ended up in a tiny village we'd never heard of.

We got lost on the way home and ended up in a tiny village we'd never heard of.

Etymology

From 'end' plus 'up', meaning to finish in a certain state, a 20th-century colloquialism.

How & Where It’s Used

Very common in narratives for describing unplanned outcomes.

Watch “finish in a state” pronunciation on YouTube
phrasal-verb

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