The phrasal verb "budge up" is predominantly used in informal spoken English, particularly in British English. It is typically employed in casual conversations, often used when requesting someone to move slightly to make space for another person to sit down or fit in a tight space. The phrase "budge up" conveys a sense of familiarity and friendliness, making it less likely to appear in formal writing or speech. You might hear this expression in everyday settings like in families, among friends at a social gathering, or on crowded public transport. Its informal nature makes it an unsuitable choice for academic, professional, or formal written communication contexts where more formal alternatives like "could you please move over" might be more appropriate.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To move or shift slightly to allow someone else to sit or have more room.
Could you budge up a bit? There's someone else who needs to sit down.
She asked him to budge up so she could join in on the bench.
I had to budge up to make room for my friend on the crowded couch.