wrap up

3 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 finish something (a meeting, deal, or task) B2
  2. 2 cover something in paper, especially as a present B1
  3. 3 put on warm clothes (a coat, scarf, etc.) to stay warm B1
1 wrap sth up

finish something (a meeting, deal, or task)

B2

What does "wrap up" mean in this sense?

To wrap up something means to bring it to a definitive end — completing all the necessary steps so that nothing is left unfinished. It's particularly common in professional contexts: you might wrap up a meeting when all the agenda points have been covered, or wrap up a deal after both sides have finally agreed. The phrase suggests not just stopping, but genuinely finishing — tying off the loose ends so the task is done. It sits in a neutral-to-slightly-informal range, making it a natural fit for workplace conversations, journalism, and broadcasting without sounding too casual. You'll often hear it as a signal that something is about to close: 'let's wrap up' is a standard phrase in business meetings to indicate it's nearly time to finish.

Examples

How to use it

wrap up + noun object

The most common pattern — use this when the object is a noun phrase referring to a task, event, or process.

The director wants to wrap up filming before the end of the month.

wrap + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle — never after 'up'.

We've covered everything on the agenda, so let's wrap it up.

wrap + short noun + up

Short noun objects can also be placed between the verb and particle, which is a common and natural alternative.

She wrapped the discussion up with a clear summary of next steps.

wrap up (without object)

When the context makes it obvious what is being finished, you can use 'wrap up' without naming the object.

We're running over time — can we wrap up soon?

be wrapped up

The passive form is natural, especially when reporting that something was completed by a certain point.

The deal was wrapped up before the end of the quarter.

Common Collocations

wrap up a meetingwrap up a dealwrap up a projectwrap up negotiationswrap things upwrap it up

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after the particle

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must come between 'wrap' and 'up'. Putting the pronoun after 'up' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ Let's wrap up it before lunch.
✓ Let's wrap it up before lunch.
Confusing with 'wind up'

'Wind up' can also mean to finish something, but it often implies formally dissolving an organisation or ending up somewhere unintentionally — it's not a straightforward swap for 'wrap up', which is more neutral and everyday.

✗ The company was wound up its annual conference on a high note.
✓ The company wrapped up its annual conference on a high note.
Using a physical object as the target

In this sense, 'wrap up' only takes abstract, task-like objects — meetings, projects, deals, campaigns. Using it with a physical object (like a gift or parcel) belongs to a completely different meaning of the phrase.

✗ She wrapped up the report in brown paper and sent it off.
✓ She wrapped up the report and sent it to the client.

Usage

This phrasal verb is common in both spoken and written English and works well in professional settings like meetings and business. It is slightly less formal than 'conclude' but perfectly appropriate in most workplace contexts.

2 wrap sth up

cover something in paper, especially as a present

B1

Sense 2: What does "wrap sth up" mean?

To wrap something up means to cover it in paper — usually wrapping paper, brown paper, or tissue paper — so that it looks like a gift or parcel. This phrasal verb is especially common around birthdays, Christmas, and other occasions when people give presents. The particle 'up' gives a sense of completeness, suggesting the item is fully and neatly covered. You might also hear it in shops or online stores that offer gift-wrapping services. It's a neutral, everyday expression that works in both conversation and writing.

Examples

How to use it

wrap up + object

The most common pattern, used when the object is a longer noun phrase or when you want to keep the phrasal verb together.

I need to wrap up the Christmas presents before the kids wake up.

wrap + object + up

Separation is very natural with short noun objects, and is often preferred in everyday speech.

She wrapped the gift up neatly and tied it with a ribbon.

wrap + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, it must always go between 'wrap' and 'up' — this is not optional.

I found a book for Dad — I'll wrap it up tonight.

be wrapped up (in + material)

The passive is natural here, especially when describing how a gift or parcel has been prepared.

All the birthday presents were wrapped up in colourful paper and stacked under the tree.

wrap + object + up + adverb

Adverbs like 'neatly', 'carefully', and 'beautifully' commonly follow the object to describe how the wrapping is done.

He wrapped every toy up carefully so nothing would get damaged in the post.

Common Collocations

birthday presentsChristmas giftsa parcela boxtoysbooks

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after 'up'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'wrap' and 'up'. Placing it after 'up' is ungrammatical.

✗ Can you wrap up them before the party?
✓ Can you wrap them up before the party?
Confusing the gift-wrapping sense with 'finish'

The phrase 'wrap up' also means to finish or conclude something, like a meeting or a project. In the gift-wrapping sense, the object is always a physical item such as a present or parcel — never an abstract thing like a deal or a discussion.

✗ Let's wrap up the presents and move on. (when 'presents' is meant as a presentation)
✓ Use 'wrap up the presents' only when talking about covering physical gifts in paper.
Leaving out the object

In this gift-wrapping sense, 'wrap up' always needs a physical object. You cannot use it without one the way you can in the 'dress warmly' sense ('wrap up warm').

✗ I need to wrap up before the party. (meaning cover gifts in paper)
✓ I need to wrap up the presents before the party.

Usage

This sense is neutral and used in everyday contexts. Be aware that 'wrap up' also means to finish something (a meeting) or to dress warmly — context will usually make the meaning clear.

3 wrap up

put on warm clothes (a coat, scarf, etc.) to stay warm

B1

Sense 3: What does "wrap up" mean?

This phrasal verb means to put on warm clothes — like a coat, scarf, hat, or extra layers — to protect yourself from cold weather. It is usually used when going outside in winter or on a chilly day. You will hear it most often as friendly advice, for example from a parent telling a child to dress warmly before going out. The fixed phrase 'wrap up warm' is especially common and sounds very natural in British English. Note that in American English, people usually say 'bundle up' instead, so 'wrap up' in this sense is mainly a British expression.

Examples

How to use it

wrap up + warm / well

The most common pattern — 'warm' or 'well' follows directly after the phrasal verb to describe how you dress.

Wrap up warm before you go out — the temperature has really dropped.

wrap up + against the cold

Use 'against the cold' to explain the reason for dressing in warm layers.

You'll need to wrap up against the cold if you're walking to the station.

wrap up + in + clothing item

Use 'in' followed by a specific item of clothing to say what someone is wearing to keep warm.

She wrapped up in a thick scarf and gloves before stepping outside.

remember / make sure to + wrap up

This phrasal verb often appears after reminder phrases, especially when giving caring advice.

Make sure you wrap up properly — it's supposed to snow this afternoon.

need to + wrap up

Use with 'need to' to say that dressing warmly is necessary given the weather conditions.

You're going to need to wrap up if you're planning to watch the match outside.

Common Collocations

wrap up warmwrap up wellwrap up before going outremember to wrap upwrap up against the cold

Common Mistakes

Adding an object after 'up'

In this sense, 'wrap up' is intransitive — it has no direct object. If you add a noun after 'up', it sounds like you mean a different sense, such as finishing something or covering it in paper.

✗ Wrap up yourself warm before going out.
✓ Wrap up warm before going out.
Confusing with other senses of 'wrap up'

'Wrap up' can also mean to finish something (e.g. a meeting) or to cover something in paper (e.g. a present). The key clue for the 'dress warmly' sense is that no object follows the phrasal verb — it stands alone or is followed by 'warm', 'well', or a phrase like 'against the cold'.

✗ I wrapped up the meeting warm.
✓ I wrapped up warm before the outdoor meeting.
Using 'bundle up' and expecting it to be understood in British English

'Bundle up' is the natural American English equivalent of this sense, but British English speakers typically say 'wrap up warm' instead. If you're speaking to a British English audience, 'wrap up' is the more natural choice.

Usage

This expression is much more common in British English than American English; Americans typically say 'bundle up' instead. It is most natural in the imperative ('Wrap up warm!') and in informal spoken contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'wrap up' always mean 'finish'? I've heard it used in other ways.

No — 'wrap up' has a few different meanings. The same words can mean to cover something in paper (like a gift) or, in British English, to dress warmly ('wrap up warm'). Context almost always makes it clear which sense is meant: the 'finish' sense involves tasks and events, never physical objects being covered. This page covers only the 'finish or conclude' meaning.

Can I use 'wrap up' in a formal report or email?

It's fine in most professional writing, including emails and business reports. It's slightly more informal than 'conclude' or 'finalise', but it's widely accepted in workplace contexts and wouldn't sound out of place in a professional email. For highly formal academic writing, 'conclude' might be the safer choice.

What kinds of things can you 'wrap up'? Can it be used for anything?

In this sense, 'wrap up' typically takes objects that are tasks, events, or processes — things like meetings, deals, negotiations, projects, campaigns, or presentations. The key idea is that the object is something you can complete. You wouldn't use it with a physical object (that's a different sense) or with something that can't really be finished in a single effort.

Is 'that's a wrap' the same as 'wrap up'?

'That's a wrap' is a related fixed expression that comes from film production, where it signals that filming is complete. It shares the same core idea of concluding something, but it's a set phrase rather than a flexible verb — you can't swap it in for 'wrap up' in most sentences. It's worth knowing as a cultural reference, but it works differently from the phrasal verb.

Can 'wrap-up' be used as a noun?

Yes — 'wrap-up' (hyphenated as a noun) is common, especially in journalism and broadcasting. You'll often hear phrases like 'a wrap-up of the week's news' or 'here's a quick wrap-up of the main points'. It refers to a summary or final review at the end of something.

Does 'wrap up' always mean covering gifts in paper?

No — 'wrap up' has a few different meanings. As well as covering something in paper, it can mean to finish something (like a meeting or a project) or to put on warm clothes. The gift-wrapping meaning is always clear because the object is a physical item like a present or a parcel. A separate section on this page covers the other senses.

Is there a difference between 'wrap' and 'wrap up'?

Both are correct and widely used for covering gifts in paper. 'Wrap up' adds a slight sense of completeness — as if the item is fully and thoroughly covered. In practice, the two are interchangeable in most gift-giving contexts.

Where do I put adverbs like 'neatly' or 'carefully'?

These adverbs usually go after the object when the phrasal verb is separated ('wrap the presents up neatly'), or after 'up' in the unseparated form ('wrap up the parcels carefully'). Both positions are natural and common.

Can 'wrap up' be used in the passive?

Yes, the passive sounds very natural here, especially when describing how gifts have been prepared. For example: 'The boxes were wrapped up in brown paper and tied with string.' This form is common in both spoken and written English.

What kinds of things can you 'wrap up'?

The object should always be a physical item — things like birthday presents, Christmas gifts, books, toys, boxes, or parcels. You wrap up something you intend to give as a gift or send as a package, not abstract things like ideas or plans.

Is 'wrap up warm' or 'wrap up warmly' more correct?

Both are grammatically possible, but 'wrap up warm' is the more natural and idiomatic choice in British English. Using 'warm' as an adverb here is standard in informal spoken English, so don't worry about changing it to 'warmly'.

Is 'wrap up' (dress warmly) mainly British English?

Yes — this sense is much more common in British English. American English speakers would normally say 'bundle up' to mean the same thing. If you're learning British English, 'wrap up warm' is a very useful phrase to know.

How do I know which sense of 'wrap up' someone means?

Context is the key. If there is no object after 'wrap up' and the situation involves cold weather or clothing, it means 'dress warmly'. If there is an object like 'a meeting' or 'a deal', it means 'finish'. If there is an object like 'a present', it means 'cover in paper'.

Can I use 'wrap up' in this sense in a formal email or written report?

It's not very common in formal writing — this expression is mainly used in spoken, everyday English. If you need to write something formal, it's better to say 'dress warmly' or 'wear warm clothing'.

Can I say 'I have been wrapping up warm all winter'?

This is possible but sounds a little awkward in most situations. The present continuous ('I'm wrapping up warm today') and simple past ('I wrapped up warm yesterday') both sound more natural for this phrasal verb.

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