Pile up

usgb
phrasal verb

To accumulate or gather over time.

As I was busy, the paperwork started to pile up on my desk.
Visual representation of "pile up" - To accumulate or gather over time

Often appears as...

  • work piles up
  • bills pile up
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "pile up"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Time reference

Use when indicating that tasks or items are gathering gradually.

Illustration for Time reference
The emails pile up if I don't check my inbox regularly.
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Feeling overwhelmed

Describes the stress from a growing number of tasks or problems.

Illustration for Feeling overwhelmed
When assignments pile up, I feel overwhelmed.
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Contextual use

Often used in work or administrative contexts to describe backlog.

Illustration for Contextual use
Leave requests tend to pile up around the holidays.
Visual representation of the word "Pile up"

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