do up

verb

did up; done up; doing up; does up

transitive verb

1
: fasten
do up the buttons of a shirt
… an elderly lady with her jacket done up tightly against the wind …Sue Lloyd-Roberts
2
a
: to deck (someone) out : clothe
The waitstaff was done up in western attire.
b
: to furnish (something) with something ornamental : decorate
She always does up the house for the holidays.
3
: to prepare (something) for wear or use (as by cleaning or repairing)
"… I'll make the pies and lady fingers tomorrow and do up my white muslin dress. …"Lucy Maud Montgomery
4
a
: to wrap (something) up
do up a package
b
: to prepare and preserve (something) for later use : can entry 2, put up
I did up a bushel of tomatoes.
5
: exhaust, wear out
This contact with righteousness has about done me up!Sinclair Lewis

Examples of do up in a Sentence

the whole house had been done up for Halloween on Wild West Day some of the women came to the office done up as showgirls, while the men were mostly outlaws
Recent Examples on the Web The Ultimate Design logo is done up in gold to match the metal components, and the device’s layered steel construction can be seen along the case edges and the camera surround. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024 The models who approach are wearing Vuitton shoes and, in place of garments, Vuitton cloth: Since most pieces of the new collection aren’t ready, the models have been done up with dummy wraps and simple cuts that simulate the finished pieces’ movement and silhouette. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2024 As Shelly begins one final performance done up in her feathers, glitter and rhinestones, a smoky ballad comes in and a familiar, husky voice rings out. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 Hagan took the car, capable of doing up to 330 mph across a 1,000-foot stretch, to the M1 Concourse to do a burnout for the crowd. Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for do up 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'do up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of do up was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near do up

Cite this Entry

“Do up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do%20up. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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