do up
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle up
Meanings
Fasten a button, zip or buckle
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“Before going out, Leo did up his coat while Maya checked the club plan.”
“Maya did up her coat before going outside on the cold morning.”
Improve a room or property by repairing or decorating it
Why “up”? Something is made neater, better-looking, more impressive, or more appealing.
“They're doing up an old farmhouse.”
“They did up the spare room as a nursery.”
Wrap or tie something into a neat package
“She did up the gift in shiny paper.”
“He did up the parcel with string.”
Style or arrange one's hair or appearance
“She did her hair up for the wedding.”
“Maya did her hair up while Leo got ready for their night out.”
Don't confuse with
Do up means fasten a button, zip or buckle. Do out means decorate or furnish a room in a particular style.
Test yourself
“Before going out, Leo did up his coat while Maya checked the club plan.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
do out
A contrast learners often mix up
Decorate or furnish a room in a particular style
add up
Same up pattern: finishing
Combine into a larger total; Make sense or seem true
break up
Same up pattern: finishing
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
build up
Same up pattern: making better
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
call up
Same up pattern: finishing
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
clean up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy thoroughly
clear up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
close up
Same up pattern: finishing
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
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