heytardy
Log inGet started

wake up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
wake up
stop sleepingmake someone aware

Meaning 1 · most common

stop sleeping

  • wake up sth
A scene showing “wake up” meaning “stop sleeping”.

To stop sleeping and become awake.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I usually wake up at six in the morning.

A: What time did you wake up today?
B: Around eight, but I stayed in bed for a while.

Common mistake

Not: I woke up me early.

Say: I woke up early.

Intransitive here — don't add 'me' (rousing someone else is 'wake him up').

More on “stop sleeping”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my country, most people wake up early during the week because they have to go to work or school.

Tell it apart

I wake up at six.

  • stop sleeping

I get up at six.

  • get out of bed

Goes with

  • wake up + time
Practice saying this
Next meaning: make someone aware

Meaning 2

make someone aware

  • wake sb up sth
A scene showing “wake up” meaning “make someone notice something important”.

To make someone realize or notice something, especially something important.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The news report woke people up to the dangers of air pollution.

A: I didn't realize how serious the problem was.
B: Yeah, it really woke me up when I saw the statistics.

Common mistake

Not: The crisis woke them up the risks.

Say: The crisis woke them up to the risks.

'Wake someone up TO' something — don't drop 'to'.

More on “make someone aware”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Traveling abroad can wake you up to different cultures and ways of thinking.

Tell it apart

It woke me up to the problem.

  • made me aware

It woke me up.

  • roused me from sleep — sense

Goes with

  • wake up + to
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

stop sleepingmake someone aware