Phrasal Verbs

do up (1)

This page is about the phrasal verb do up (1)

British and Australian English INFORMAL

Meaning

If you do up an old building, car, boat, etc., you make it look new again by repairing it, painting it, and so on.

Synonym

restore, renovate

For example

  • do sth up Mike makes money by buying old houses and then doing them up and selling them.

  • do up sth Uncle Bill likes to do up old cars and make them look as good as new.

Nouns often used as objects with do up (1): house, apartment, room, car, motorbike, boat

Variety

This is typically used in British and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

They're going to do up their apartment, so they're getting

a. paint and brushes

b. locks and keys

c. food and drinks
a) paint and brushes b) locks and keys c) food and drinks

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey