do up - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

do up

Third Person

does up

Present Participle

doing up

Past Tense

did up

Past Participle

done up

to fasten, button, zip, or otherwise secure something, often related to clothing or accessories

transitive

She asked for help to do up the zipper on the back of her dress.
Before heading out, he made sure to do up the buttons on his coat to stay warm.
The child struggled to do up the laces on their shoes, prompting a parent to assist.
As the weather turned colder, it was time to do up the top button on the coat for added warmth.
The actor quickly needed to do up the cufflinks on his shirt before going on stage.

to make oneself look neat or stylish, especially by dressing up or putting on makeup

transitive

She took extra time to do herself up for the special occasion, choosing an elegant dress and coordinating accessories.
Before the party, he decided to do himself up, opting for a sharp suit and polished shoes.
The actors spent hours in the dressing room getting done up in elaborate costumes and makeup for the performance.
Wanting to make a good impression, she decided to do up her hair and apply subtle makeup for the job interview.
The event called for a more formal look, so everyone took the opportunity to do themselves up in classy outfits.

Synonyms:

to improve the appearance of a building by repairing or decorating it

transitive

The homeowners decided to do up their old farmhouse, giving it a fresh coat of paint and repairing any damages.
The business owner invested in doing up the storefront to attract more customers with an appealing look.
The neighborhood association planned to do up the community center, renovating both the interior and exterior.
The historic building underwent a restoration project to do it up and preserve its architectural charm.
The real estate agent recommended doing up the property before listing it to increase its market value.

to prepare food

transitive

The chef decided to do up a special dish for the evening's menu to surprise the guests.
Instead of ordering takeout, she chose to do up a homemade meal for her family.
The culinary students were excited to do up a variety of recipes during their cooking class.
Wanting to impress his date, he decided to do up a gourmet dinner with multiple courses.
The friends gathered in the kitchen to do up a delicious meal together for the dinner party.

to clean a room or a house thoroughly, often in preparation for a special occasion or a new occupant

transitive

Before the guests arrived, they worked diligently to do up the entire house, ensuring it was spotless.
The tenants were required to do up the apartment before moving out, leaving it in pristine condition.
In anticipation of the holiday season, the family decided to do up the living room with festive decorations after a thorough cleaning.
The real estate agent recommended doing up the property before showing it to potential buyers for a more appealing presentation.
When welcoming a new tenant, the landlord arranged to do up the rental property to make it move-in ready.

to wrap something into a compact form