To scoop up is to lift or gather with a sweeping motion, as if using a scoop: She scooped up the child in her arms, He scooped up a handful of sand.
The phrase often implies quickness or eagerness.
Figuratively, to scoop up is to acquire rapidly or in quantity: Investors scooped up shares before the price rose.
1. gather — collect, Bring items together; grab (Seize abruptly); gather (Bring or come together); sweep up (Clean with a broom); pick up · round up · corral · snag · nab · retrieve · fetch · accumulate · amass · garner
2. lift — pick up, Lift and take; cradle (Rocking bed for infants); hoist (Raise with tackle); carry (Move while supporting); hold · embrace · lift · raise · elevate · heave · cuddle · gather up · take up · catch
3. win — beat, Rhythmic pulse or strike; outpace (Exceed in velocity); outsmart (Defeat through superior cunning); land (Earth's solid surface); secure · clinch · capture · snare · score · acquire · obtain · seize · snap up
4. inform — tip off, Secretly inform beforehand; leak (Escape through a breach); report (Formal written findings); disclose (Reveal hidden information); reveal · divulge · expose · rat out · squeal · snitch · spill · tell · alert · betray
Opposites
VERTICAL MOVEMENT/PLACEMENTscoop up ≠ set down Place or record formally; put down · lay down · drop · deposit · lower
GATHERING VS. DISPERSINGscoop up ≠ scatter Distribute in random directions; spread out · disperse · strew · sprinkle · distribute
acquisition vs. relinquishmentscoop up ≠ let go of; relinquish · give away · hand over · surrender · discard
Categories
gathering verbs: gather, collect, accumulate, amass, compile; lifting: lift, hoist, crane, elevate, raise
Family
scoop, scoops, scooping, scooped, scooper, scoopful, scoopfuls, scoopers
- Familiarity
- Top 50,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G