curl up meaning and examples

Meaning

• Curl up means to move into a rounded or bent position, often by bringing your arms, legs, or body close together.
• It can also mean to relax in a comfortable position, usually sitting or lying down.
• In some contexts, it may imply withdrawing or reacting with fear, embarrassment, or sadness.

Grammar and Usage

• Verb type: Phrasal verb (intransitive).

• Structures:

  • curl up (somewhere) → "She curled up on the sofa."
  • curl up with (something) → "He curled up with a book."
  • curl up and die (idiom, informal) → to feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed.

Common Phrases

• Curl up with a book – sit or lie down comfortably while reading.
• Curl up in bed – get into a cozy, comfortable sleeping position.
• Curl up and die – feel overwhelming embarrassment or humiliation.

Collocations

• curl up on the sofa
• curl up in bed
• curl up with a blanket
• curl up with a good book
• curl up like a cat

Examples

1. She curled up on the couch with a warm blanket.
2. I love to curl up with a good novel on rainy days.
3. The little boy curled up in his mother’s arms.
4. The cat curled up by the fireplace to sleep.
5. After the embarrassing mistake, he just wanted to curl up and die.
6. He curled up in bed and fell asleep instantly.
7. The baby curled up in her crib peacefully.
8. I curled up with my favorite movie and some popcorn.

Synonyms or Related

• snuggle
• cuddle
• huddle
• nestle
• coil

Antonym

• stretch out
• straighten
• unfold