pitchup

Pitch up is an informal English phrasal verb meaning to arrive at a place, especially for a planned purpose or to settle in for a period. It is commonly used in British and other Commonwealth varieties of English and can convey a casual, matter-of-fact tone about arriving somewhere.

Usage and forms: Pitch up is usually written as two words, with the past tense pitched up and the present participle pitching up. Examples include, “We’ll pitch up at the campsite around sunset,” and “They pitched up late in the evening.” The phrase can stand in for more formal verbs like arrive or show up in informal conversation.

Origins and nuance: The expression is linked to the sense of “pitch” as in setting up a camp or tent, suggesting someone arriving with the intention of staying or settling in. As such, it often implies a temporary or informal arrival rather than a formal arrival.

Regional notes: Pitch up is most common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and is widely understood in other English-speaking regions, though it may be less prevalent outside those areas. It is typically not used in formal writing.

Related terms: It is akin to synonyms such as turn up and show up in casual contexts, though pitch up can carry a connotation of urgency or a sense of immediately locating oneself at a place.

Overall, pitch up is a versatile, informal way to describe arriving somewhere prepared to stay or participate, with usage concentrated in Commonwealth varieties of English.