What are the definitions of “do up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Close or fasten clothes, etc..
You must DO UP your safety belt in the back of cars and taxis now.
- 2Repair and renovate.
It took them six months to DO UP the house before they could actually move in.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “do up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb do up is to fasten or close something, such as clothes or a bag. It can also mean to repair or renovate something, like a house or a room.
What are the different verb forms of “do up”?
| Root Verb | do up |
| Third Person Singular Present | does up |
| Present Participle | doing up |
| Simple Past | did up |
| Past Participle | done up |
Example
Please do up your jacket before going outside.
Example
She does up her shoes before leaving the house.
Example
He is doing up the buttons on his shirt.
Example
Yesterday, they did up the laces on their sneakers.
Example
The broken chair was done up and looked like new.
What kind of phrasal verb is “do 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
“do 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 did up her coat before going out.
Example
He did the buttons up on his shirt.
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
“do 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 did up her coat before going out.
Example
He did the buttons up on his shirt.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “do up”?
Good things to know
Does “do up” have an informal or formal tone?
Do 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 home renovations, do up can be used in a more formal context. However, in most cases, do up is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
