Meaning trap
do up
renovate
To repair, decorate, or improve a building, room, or object to make it look better or work better.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To repair, decorate, or improve a building, room, or object to make it look better or work better.
Another meaning of 'do up' is 'fasten'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
They bought an old house and spent months doing it up.
If I had more money, I would do up my apartment to make it more comfortable and modern.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They did up with the kitchen.
Say: They did up the kitchen.
'Do up + place' — no 'with'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Refurbish the property extensively' is estate-agent formal; 'do up' is conversational.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
do up + property
- the house
- an old flat
- the place
- nicely
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- do up (fasten) — Another meaning of 'do up' is 'fasten'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.