The correct spelling of the phrase "sate up" should actually be "sat up". The past tense of the verb "to sit" is "sat", pronounced as /sæt/. However, it is a common mistake to spell it as "sate" since it follows the same pattern as other irregular past tense verbs like "ate". The proper way to spell the phrase is essential to avoid ambiguity and to ensure clear communication.
"Sate up" is a phrasal verb that is a variant of the more commonly used expression "stay up." It refers to the act of remaining awake or not going to sleep during the intended or usual hours of rest. It suggests a deliberate choice or effort to extend wakefulness beyond an expected period.
When an individual "sates up," they purposefully prolong their wakefulness, resisting the urge to sleep. This phrase often implies staying awake late into the night, either due to personal obligations, responsibilities, or simply by choice. It can also imply staying awake beyond the usual time of rest, such as remaining awake during the day or altering sleep routines.
The term "sate up" can typically be used in the context of various situations: studying or working late into the night, engaging in leisure activities that keep one awake past bedtime, or enduring a long journey or overnight shift. This phrase indicates a conscious decision to postpone sleep for a specific purpose, disregarding the normal sleep schedule.
However, it is important to note that "sate up" is not a universally recognized phrase like "stay up." It is less commonly used and may vary in prevalence across different regions or dialects. Nonetheless, it conveys the same meaning as "stay up" and often serves as a distinction to emphasize a deliberate choice to remain awake.
The phrase "sate up" is a collocation of the verb "sate" and the adverb "up".
The word "sate" derives from the Old English term "sadian" or "settan", meaning "to satisfy". It entered Middle English as "saten" or "setten", and eventually evolved into "sate". Originally, it mainly referred to satisfying hunger or appetite.
The addition of the particle "up" in this phrase is simply an intensifier, emphasizing the completion of the action. It intensifies the sense of being fully satisfied or satiated.
So, when someone says they "sate up", they mean they have fully satisfied themselves, particularly in relation to their appetite or desire for food.