serve up vs ply

serve up is not a noun while ply is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
serve up	No	No	Yes	No
ply	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ply is a hypernym of serve up; that is, ply is a word with a broader meaning than serve up:

Other hypernyms of serve up include cater, provide, supply.

serve up (noun)	ply (noun)
	(usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood
	one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination

serve up (verb)	ply (verb)
provide (usually but not necessarily food)	give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
	use diligently
	wield vigorously
	join together as by twisting, weaving, or molding
	travel a route regularly
	apply oneself diligently