top-up
/ˈtɒp.ʌp/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑpˌʌp] /ˈtɑːp.ʌp/ (ame, ipa)
top-up — noun
1. some more money, credit, fuel, or another supply added to what you already have
some more money, credit, fuel, or another supply added to what you already have so the amount becomes enough again.
Amelia bought a £10 top-up for her bus card before class.
top-up for a card or account
The farm needed a fuel top-up after two long days in the field.
The bank approved a small top-up on Jisoo's loan before term started.
Without a quick top-up, the camping stove would stop before midnight.
- addition
more general; it does not always imply restoring a low amount
- refill
more often used for containers or products rather than money or credit
- supplement
more formal; often used for money added to wages or benefits
文法句型
a top-up
a top-up of + amount
a top-up for + card/account
用法筆記
Common with money, travel cards, phone credit, fuel, and other supplies that are running low. Distinguish from sense 2, which is specifically another serving of a drink.
常見錯誤
2. another serving of a drink poured into a glass or cup that already has some in i
another serving of a drink poured into a glass or cup that already has some in it.
Christopher smiled when the host offered him a top-up of red wine.
top-up of a drink
At the tea shop, Naoko ordered a hot-water top-up for her pot.
The waiter brought a coffee top-up just before the dessert arrived.
Guests could ask for a free top-up during the charity brunch.
- refill
more common in American English for drinks
- second helping
broader and more often used for food than for drinks
文法句型
a top-up of + drink
ask for a top-up
offer someone a top-up
用法筆記
Used mainly in restaurants, cafes, or at home when the same drink is being poured again. Distinguish from sense 1, which can be money, fuel, or another supply rather than a drink.
常見錯誤
3. the act of putting in more liquid so a bottle, tank, or other container goes fro
the act of putting in more liquid so a bottle, tank, or other container goes from partly full to full.
Lena gave the car an oil top-up before the long drive home.
give something a top-up
A quick water top-up kept the fish tank at the right level.
The cleaner gave each soap bottle a top-up before the store opened.
Before the hike, Indra asked for a coolant top-up for the van.
- refill
more general and more common in many varieties of English
- replenishment
more formal and broader than adding liquid to a container
文法句型
give something a top-up
a top-up of + liquid
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the act of refilling a partly full container with liquid. It is less often used for money or digital credit than sense 1.
top-up — verb
- top-uppresent simple I / you / we / they
- top-ups3rd person singular
- top-uping-ing form
- top-upedpast simple
1. to put in more money, credit, fuel, or another supply so the total gets back to
to put in more money, credit, fuel, or another supply so the total gets back to the amount you need.
Liam topped up his phone credit before the train entered the tunnel.
top up money or credit
The café topped up its milk supply for the holiday weekend.
João topped up the rental car with petrol before returning it.
After the refund arrived, Antonia topped up the account to keep it active.
- use up
to reduce a supply until little or none remains
文法句型
top up + card/account
top up + supply
top up + object + with + noun
用法筆記
The object is usually an amount, account, order, tank, or supply that has become too low. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about pouring more liquid into a partly filled cup or container.
常見錯誤
2. to pour more of a drink or other liquid into a container or someone's glass when
to pour more of a drink or other liquid into a container or someone's glass when it already has some inside.
Élise topped up the soup bowls before the late guests sat down.
top up a partly filled container
At halftime, Kian topped up everyone's paper cups with lemonade.
top up + object + with + liquid
The bartender topped up my glass when he saw it was nearly empty.
Before baking, Sade topped up the measuring jug with warm milk.
- empty
to remove what is inside the container
文法句型
top up + glass/cup/bowl
top up + object + with + liquid
top someone up
用法筆記
Usually used when some liquid is still present and you add more. For a person's drink, English often uses the pattern 'top someone up'.