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to wind up
01
to bring something to a conclusion or resolution, often in a way that was unexpected or unplanned
Intransitive
Transitive: to wind up an activity
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Inseparable
Particle
up
Base verb
wind
Present tense
wind up
3rd person singular
winds up
Present participle
winding up
Past simple
wound up
Past participle
wound up
Examples
She decided to wind up the meeting early due to lack of progress.
02
to engage in activities that bring out sexual excitement or anticipation
Transitive: to wind up sb
Examples
They used seductive gestures and flirtatious banter to wind each other up and ignite their passion.
03
to prepare for throwing something by giving one's arm a starting swing
Transitive: to wind up one's arm or an implement
Examples
Despite the fatigue, he wound up his arm for the final pitch of the game.
04
to twist a part of a machine to make its spring tight and ready to work
Transitive: to wind up a device
Examples
He wound up the camera, ready to capture the perfect shot.
05
to playfully tease someone by saying things that are not true
Transitive: to wind up sb
Examples
He wound his friend up by pretending they had won the lottery.
06
to accidentally end up in a particular situation or place as a result of a series of events
Intransitive: to wind up in a place or situation
Transitive: to wind up doing sth
Examples
I often wind up in unexpected places when I go for long walks.
