The phrasal verb "queue up" is commonly used in informal contexts, though it can appear in more formal settings as well, particularly in British English. It typically refers to the action of forming a line or a sequence of people or vehicles waiting their turn for something, such as at a checkout or entrance. In American English, the term "line up" is more prevalent for this context. "Queue up" can also figuratively refer to tasks or projects waiting to be addressed, particularly in computing or management scenarios, such as files waiting to be processed in a printer queue. It conveys an orderly method of waiting or processing, which is useful in many types of discourse. While "queue up" can be replaced with "line up" in some contexts, particularly in American English, it distinctly maintains the connotation of systematic organization and sequence.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To stand in line, often for something expected or needed.
We had to queue up for tickets to the concert.
People queued up outside the store for the Black Friday sale.
2. To organize or prepare tasks, items, or actions in a sequence.
I need to queue up some songs for the party playlist.