What are the definitions of “buff up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Clear, clean or make something shine.
The silver candlestick looked lovely after I BUFFED it UP.
- 2Improve.
After the scandal, the politician tried to BUFF UP his public image.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “buff up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb buff up is to clean, polish, or make something shine. It is often used when talking about cleaning or polishing objects to make them look better or more attractive.
What are the different verb forms of “buff up”?
| Root Verb | buff up |
| Third Person Singular Present | buffs up |
| Present Participle | buffing up |
| Simple Past | buffed up |
| Past Participle | buffed up |
Example
I need to buff up my shoes before the party.
Example
She buffs up the silverware before every dinner party.
Example
He is buffing up the car to make it look new again.
Example
Yesterday, they buffed up the old furniture to make it look fresh.
Example
The wooden floor was buffed up and looked amazing.
What kind of phrasal verb is “buff up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“buff up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She buffed up the old mirror.
Example
He buffed the car up to make it shine.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“buff up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She buffed up the old mirror.
Example
He buffed the car up to make it shine.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “buff up”?
Buff up one's skills
Improve or enhance one's abilities or knowledge in a particular area.
Example
She decided to buff up her programming skills by taking an online course.
Good things to know
Does “buff up” have an informal or formal tone?
Buff up is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, when discussing cleaning or polishing objects, it can have a neutral tone. However, when talking about improving one's skills or image, it may have a more informal tone.
