up sticks

== English == === Alternative forms === up stick (rare) === Etymology === up + sticks, plural of stick (“a mast or part of a mast of a ship; a yard”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˌʌp ˈstɪks/ === Verb === up sticks (third-person singular simple present ups sticks, present participle upping sticks, simple past and past participle upped sticks) (UK, Ireland, sailing, slang) To put up the mast of a ship in preparation for sailing. (UK, Ireland, figurative, colloquial) To prepare to move; to pack up; to go and live in a different place. === See also === pull up stakes === Anagrams === sticks up, stickups, ups stick