Collocations for "pile"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "pile" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
pile
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- [rake, jump in] a pile of leaves
- a pile of [dirt, dirty clothes]
- have a pile of paperwork to [do, get through]
- a pile of paperwork up to the ceiling
- put [it, your card] in the discard pile
- stack the [clothes, plates, items] in piles
- a wood pile by the [stove, furnace]
- a pile of wood by the [stove]
- a teetering pile of [plates, dishes]
- a pile of [junk, letters] building up
- drive piles into the [river, soil]
- UK, slang: is suffering from piles
- slang: this [car, phone] is a (real) pile of [junk, garbage]!
- slang: this [car] is a (real) pile!
- slang, offensive: that's a pile of shit!
- slang: jumped onto the dog pile
- slang: dog pile!
- slang: made a pile on the [stock, securities] market
- pile the [plates, dishes, leaves] (up)
- pile (up) the [plates]
- pile (up) on the [table, unit, shelves]
- pile [money, savings, investments] up for [retirement, a new house, university fees]
- pile up [money]
- the [plates, dishes, dirty dishes, orders] were piling up (in the kitchen)
- [plates] are piling up
- debts were [starting, beginning] to pile up
- the [work, homework, pressure] was piling up (on him)
- pile on the [work, pounds]
- [she, the home side, the teacher] piled on the [pressure]
- [cars, traffic, vehicles] piled up
- piled up [downtown, on the highway, near the stadium]
- piled high with [furniture, firewood, crates]
- they (all) piled into the [room, car]
'pile' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):