The phrasal verb "ring up" is predominantly used in informal contexts, though it can appear in semi-formal settings when discussing specific actions related to telephony or business transactions. Commonly in British English, "ring up" means to make a phone call, e.g., "I'll ring you up later." In North American English, it is more frequently used to describe the process of recording a sale or transaction on a cash register, as in "The cashier will ring up your purchase." The dual usage of "ring up" highlights its flexibility and dependence on regional dialects. Its application in telecommunication contexts underscores its technological relevance, while its use in commerce emphasizes routine and functional aspects of everyday language. Despite its more informal beginnings, its transcultural utility in the business domain has solidified its presence across varying degrees of speech formality.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To make a phone call to someone.
I'll ring up Sarah to see if she wants to come over tonight.
Can you ring up the doctor and make an appointment?
2. To record a sale on a cash register by entering the amount and totaling it.
The cashier will ring up your items and give you the receipt.
I accidentally rang up the wrong amount and had to correct it.