# baby up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baby-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

To treat someone like a baby by being too protective or doing everything for them. You use this when you think someone is being over-pampered.

For teachers: To treat a person with excessive indulgence or over-protectiveness. This phrasal verb is transitive and typically carries a pejorative nuance regarding the object's perceived lack of maturity.

## Examples

- Don't baby him up; he can walk by himself.
- Even though he is twenty, his parents still baby him up by doing his laundry and cooking every meal.
- The institutional tendency to baby up new recruits often results in a workforce that lacks the resilience required for high-stakes decision-making.

## Pitfalls

- Not "You shouldn't baby up her." but "You shouldn't baby her up." — Pronoun objects must be placed between the verb and the particle 'up'.

## Usage notes

- Usually used with a person as the object and implies the care is unnecessary or harmful.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'pamper', which can be positive; 'baby up' is almost always seen as a negative way to stunt someone's growth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.