Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Excellent, first-rate, very good: Used to describe something of outstanding quality or performance.
   • Splendid, terrific: Expresses high praise or admiration for something.

Usage

• bang-up is an informal, chiefly American adjective. It is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be') to give strong, positive emphasis.
• It is considered slang and is most appropriate in casual conversation.

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • He did a bang-up job on the presentation.
  • They threw a bang-up party for her birthday.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • The concert was absolutely bang-up!
  • "How was the food?" "It was bang-up!"

Advanced Usage

• "to do a bang-up job": This is a common collocation meaning to perform a task exceptionally well.
  • The repair crew did a bang-up job fixing the road.

Variants and Related Words

• Smashing (adj, chiefly British): Excellent, wonderful.
  • You look simply smashing in that dress.
• Bully (adj, archaic): Excellent, first-rate.
  • He did a bully job.
• Neat (adj, informal): Very good, excellent.
  • That's a neat idea.

Synonyms

• Excellent
• Superb
• Terrific
• Fantastic
• Outstanding

Antonyms

• Poor
• Terrible
• Awful
• Mediocre

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "bang-up to the elephant" (British, archaic slang): This phrase, meaning "perfect" or "excellent," is the likely origin of the shortened "bang-up." It is now obsolete.

Adjective

1. very good
   • he did a bully job
   • a neat sports car
   • had a great time at the party
   • you look simply smashing