Grammar fix
swallow up
consume completely
To use up a very large amount of time or space.
phrasal verb
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The renovation swallowed up nearly all our free time last summer.
For me, commuting used to swallow up almost three hours a day, so moving closer to work made a huge difference.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The new job has used out all my free time.
Say: The new job has swallowed up all my free time.
'Use out' isn't English; say 'use up', or 'swallow up' when almost nothing is left.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Fill the time or space you have
How muchUnspecifiedLarge amount
take upState how much time or space something occupies.eat upEmphasizes consuming time or space you wanted available.
swallow upYou're here · Emphasizes consuming a large amount of available time or space.