wrap up
BothSense-dependent: some meanings take an object and split, others take none. Check the sense you mean.
How to say it
Stress the particle, not the verb: wrap UP. Saying “WRAP up” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.
Link across the gap. The final /p/ of “wrap” moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “wrap up” is said “wra-pup”. Pausing between the words is what makes phrasal verbs sound recited rather than spoken.
Verb vs noun
As a noun the stress flips to the front: the verb is wrap UP, the noun is WRAP-UP. Same two words, different beat — “to wrap UP” is the action, “a wrap-up” is the thing. Getting this backwards makes the sentence land oddly even when every sound is right.
2 meanings
- 1
To finish something.
- “The afternoon flew by, with Tom wrapping up a few small tasks.”
- “Let's wrap up — we're over time.”
Similar: finish, conclude
- 2
To cover something in paper or cloth, or to dress warmly.
- “Wrap up warm — it's below freezing.”
Similar: cover, bundle up