phrasal verb
hook up
HUUK UP
Hook up (phrasal verb) means to have a casual sexual encounter with someone, usually without being in a relationship with them. Example: “They hooked up after the party and never spoke about it again.”
phrasal verb
1
informal To have a casual sexual encounter with someone, usually without being in a relationship with them.
"They hooked up after the party and never spoke about it again."
"He admitted he was only looking to hook up, not to date."
2
To connect a piece of equipment to a power supply, a network or another device.
"It took ten minutes to hook up the printer to the new laptop."
"The van was hooked up to the mains at the campsite."
3
informal To meet someone in order to spend time together, often after arranging it informally.
"We hooked up with the others outside the stadium."
"Let's hook up for a coffee when you are back in town."
4
informal To provide someone with something they want or need; used with with.
"My cousin hooked me up with tickets for the final."
"Can you hook us up with a decent plumber?"
How to use hook up
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get together with someone casually, most often for sex.
When to use it
Informal in the meeting and providing senses; neutral and technical in the connecting sense.
Memory tip
Hook up to is for equipment and power; hook up with is for people.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hook up to the mains
hook up with friends
hook me up with
hooked up and ready
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He admitted he was only looking to _____, not to date.
Synonyms
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get together
sleep together
fool around
connect
plug in
wire up
link
meet up
link up
join forces
set up
sort out
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hook up
See all rhymes for hook up →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hook up and link up?
Both can mean meet or connect, but link up is more often used for organisations or systems joining together, while hook up is more casual and is the usual choice for plugging equipment in.
Is hook up one word or two?
Two words when it is a verb, as in we will hook up later. One word, hookup, when it is a noun, as in the campsite has electrical hookups.
Can hook up mean simply to meet a friend?
Yes, and in British and older American usage that is the ordinary meaning. Because the phrase also carries a romantic implication in modern American slang, many speakers prefer meet up when there is any risk of confusion.
What is the meaning of hook up?
"hook up" (phrasal verb) means to have a casual sexual encounter with someone, usually without being in a relationship with them.
