The phrasal verb "use up" is predominantly employed in informal speech, although it does appear in formal contexts, particularly in written materials like business reports or environmental assessments. This phrasal verb typically implies the complete consumption or depletion of a resource or supply. It is commonly used when discussing topics like energy ('I've used up all the electricity in my pre-paid meter'), materials ('The chef used up all the flour for the cake'), or time ('She used up all her free time preparing for the event'). "Use up" often carries a sense of urgency or the need to replenish what has been spent, thus it can be found in contexts emphasizing conservation or management. Its universality stems from its straightforward meaning and applicability across various subjects.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To consume or deplete a resource until it is gone.
I used up all the milk making pancakes, so we need to buy more.
She used up all her energy during the marathon and barely made it to the finish line.
2. To exhaust the available supply or quantity of something.
The printer used up all the ink, so the documents couldn’t be printed.
The project used up the entire budget sooner than expected.