The phrase "crumple up" is pronounced /ˈkrʌmp(ə)l ʌp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter "c" is pronounced as /k/, followed by the "r" sound /r/ and the vowel sound /ʌ/. The "m" and "p" sounds /m/ and /p/ come next, followed by the unstressed vowel sound /ə/. The final "l" is pronounced as /l/ and the word ends with the sound /ʌp/. This phrase means to crush something into a tight ball or wad, like when you crumple up a piece of paper.
Crumple up is a phrasal verb that refers to the action of crushing or wrinkling something, typically by forming it into a disordered and compact shape. When an object or material is crumpled up, it undergoes a process that often involves folding, twisting, or compressing it in a way that alters its previous form.
The act of crumpling up is usually performed intentionally, whether to facilitate disposal, save space, or simply to achieve a particular aesthetic. It commonly applies to flexible objects such as paper, fabric, or other materials that can be folded or distorted. For instance, when crumpling up a piece of paper, one might scrunch it tightly in their hand or fold it unevenly multiple times, resulting in it becoming a compact, irregular shape that is far from its original smoothness.
Crumpling up can also be used metaphorically to describe the effect of negative emotions or stress on a person. In this context, it implies that the individual's state of mind has become disheveled or disrupted, analogous to the physical act of crumpling. It suggests a person's resilience or stability being compromised, giving the idea of being emotionally or psychologically crumpled up.
Overall, crumple up represents the action of distorting or crushing something physically or metaphorically, altering its original shape or state.
The word "crumple up" is a phrasal verb formed by combining the verb "crumple" and the preposition "up". Here is the etymology of each component:
1. Crumple: The word "crumple" originated from the Middle English word "crumplen", which meant "to curl up" or "to contract into wrinkles". It can be traced back to the Old English word "crympan", meaning "to wrinkle" or "to contract". The Old English word has Germanic roots and is akin to the Middle Dutch word "krimpen" and the Old High German word "chrimpfan", both carrying similar meanings of "to shrink" or "to wrinkle".
2. Up: The preposition "up" has Old English origins and has been in use since ancient times.