bait up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To place bait on fishing tackle preparatory to fishing.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The housewife smiled to herself and started baiting up the hook.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “bait up” mean?

To place bait on fishing tackle preparatory to fishing.

Is “bait up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.