Phrasal verb
do up
Definition
phrasal verb. to fasten something like a coat or a bag; it can also mean to repair and decorate an old building.
phrasal verb. to fasten or secure a garment or container; also used transitively to describe the renovation, repair, or decoration of a structure or object.
Examples
“Can you help me do up the buttons on my dress?”
“They bought a cheap, old house in the countryside and spent the whole summer doing it up.”
“After the property was purchased at auction, the developers spent months doing it up to meet modern safety standards and aesthetic trends.”
Examples
simple
“Can you help me do up the buttons on my dress?”
contextual
“They bought a cheap, old house in the countryside and spent the whole summer doing it up.”
complex
“After the property was purchased at auction, the developers spent months doing it up to meet modern safety standards and aesthetic trends.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “do up” in context.
Verb
01. completely do up the kitchen
“We decided to completely do up the kitchen with new cabinets and paint.”
adv + verb + noun
02. do up an old house
“They bought a cheap property and spent the summer doing up an old house.”
verb + adj + noun
03. do up the buttons
“The little boy is learning how to do up the buttons on his shirt.”
verb + noun
04. do up the zip
“Can you help me do up the zip on the back of my dress?”
verb + noun
05. do up your coat
“You should do up your coat before you go outside into the snow.”
verb + possessive + noun
06. do up your shoelaces
“Stop for a moment and do up your shoelaces so you don't trip.”
verb + possessive + noun
Usage
often used with clothing items (buttons, zips) or properties (houses, flats).
Teaching tip
this is a polysemous phrasal verb; use a 'getting ready' context for the fastening sense and a 'home improvement' context for the renovation sense.
Pitfall
I need to do up my house's roof.
I need to do up my house.
you 'do up' the whole object or building, not just a specific part of it, when referring to renovation.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
do + [object] + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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