cook up

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Word: Cook Up

Definition: The phrase "cook up" is a verb that means to create or prepare something, often by mixing different ingredients or ideas. It can also mean to invent or make up something that may not be true or real.

Usage Instructions:

• "Cook up" can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
• Use it when talking about preparing food or when someone invents a story or plan.

Examples:

1. Literal Use: "I will cook up a delicious pasta dish for dinner tonight."
2. Figurative Use: "He cooked up a story about why he was late to the meeting."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more advanced context, you might say, "The team cooked up an innovative marketing strategy that surprised everyone."

Word Variants:

• Cooking (noun): The act of preparing food.
• Cooked (adjective): Something that has been prepared by heating.

Different Meanings:

1. Creation of Food: To prepare a meal.

   • Example: "She cooked up a storm in the kitchen."

2. Inventing a Story or Plan: To come up with a story or idea that may not be entirely true.

   • Example: "They cooked up a plan to surprise their friend for her birthday."

Synonyms:

• Prepare: To get something ready.
• Concoct: To create by mixing different elements (often used for food).
• Invent: To create something new, often an idea or story.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Cook the books: To illegally change financial records to make them look better.
  • Example: "The accountant was caught cooking the books."
• Cook up a storm: To cook a lot or cook very well.
  • Example: "Whenever she has guests, she cooks up a storm."

Summary:

"Cook up" is a versatile phrase that can refer to both making food and inventing stories or plans.

Academic

Verb

1. make up something artificial or untrue
2. prepare or cook by mixing ingredients
   • concoct a strange mixture

Synonyms

• fabricate
• manufacture
• make up
• invent
• concoct