do up

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The phrase "do up" is a phrasal verb in English that has a couple of meanings and uses. Let's break it down to make it easier to understand.

Basic Meanings:

1. To Dress or Prepare: "Do up" can mean to get dressed nicely or to make oneself look good. For example, when someone spends time putting on makeup, fixing their hair, or wearing fancy clothes for an occasion, they are "doing up" for that event.

   • Example: "She dolled herself up for the night out with her friends." (This means she got dressed nicely and made herself look good.)

2. To Wrap or Decorate: "Do up" can also mean to wrap something, often in a decorative way, like a gift.

   • Example: "The gift was done up in pretty red paper." (This means the gift was wrapped nicely in red paper.)

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "do up" when talking about preparing for an event or when wrapping something as a gift. It is often used in informal situations.

Advanced Usage and Variants:

• "Doll up": This is a variation of "do up" specifically related to dressing up nicely, often for a party or a special occasion.
• "Do up" can also be used in British English to refer to fastening something, like a coat or a zipper.
  • Example: "Can you help me do up my dress?" (This means to fasten the dress.)

Different Meanings:

• In addition to the meanings mentioned, "do up" can also refer to repairing or renovating something.
  • Example: "They plan to do up the old house before selling it." (This means they will fix or improve the house.)

Synonyms:

• For dressing up: "Dress up," "groom," "make up."
• For wrapping: "Wrap," "package," "present."
• For repairing: "Renovate," "fix," "restore."

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Doll up": Similar to "do up," this means to dress attractively.
• "Fix up": This can mean to improve or renovate something or to prepare someone for a date or event.

Summary:

"Do up" is a versatile phrasal verb that can mean to dress nicely, to wrap something, or to renovate something. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially in informal contexts.

Academic

Verb

1. use special care in dressing, making-up, etc.
   • She dolled herself up for the night out with her friends
2. wrap for decorative purposes
   • The gift was done up in pretty red paper

Synonyms

• doll up
• pretty up
• glam up