up sticks Definition

stick¹
noun

1a. A twig or thin branch of a tree;

Thesaurus: branch, twig, stem, stalk.
1b. colloq
The small hurdles of a steeplechase.
Form: sticks
2a. Any long thin piece of wood;
2b. A shaped piece of wood or other material which has a designated purpose;

Example: hockey stick
Example: gear stick
2c. A baton or wand, etc;
2d. A bow for a fiddle or the wooden part of a bow.
3. A long thin piece of anything.
4. A piece of furniture, especially when it is one of few.
5. colloq
Verbal abuse, criticism or mockery.
6. colloq
A rural area that is considered remote or unsophisticated.
Form: the sticks
7. colloq
A person.
Example: a funny old stick
8a. A group of bombs that are dropped from an aircraft one after the other over a target;
8b. A group of parachutists that are dropped from an aircraft one after the other.

verb

sticked, sticking
1. To support (a plant) using a stick or sticks.

Idiom: get hold of the wrong end of the stick

To misunderstand a situation, a statement, etc.

Idiom: give it some stick

colloq
To put some force or effort into something.

Idiom: give someone stick

To criticize or punish them.

Idiom: in a cleft stick

In a dangerous or tricky position.

Idiom: up sticks

colloq
To move away, especially without warning.
Example: He just upped sticks and left

Idiom: up the stick

slang
Pregnant.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sticca.