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do up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
do up
fastenrenovate

Meaning 1 · most common

fasten

  • do up sth

To fasten or close something, such as buttons, zippers, or straps on clothes or bags.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

It's cold outside, so make sure you do up your jacket.

A: Can you help me do up this bracelet?
B: Sure, just hold still for a second.

Common mistake

Not: Do up it before you go out.

Say: Do it up before you go out.

With a pronoun the object goes in the middle — 'do it up', never 'do up it'.

More on “fasten”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Before leaving the house in winter, I always do up my coat to keep warm.

Tell it apart

Do your coat up, it's cold.

  • fasten it

Undo the top button.

  • unfasten it

Goes with

  • do up + fastening
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Next meaning: renovate

Meaning 2

renovate

  • do up sth

To repair, decorate, or improve a building, room, or object to make it look better or work better.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

They bought an old house and spent months doing it up.

A: Wow, your kitchen looks amazing!
B: Thanks, we did it up last summer.

Common mistake

Not: They did up with the kitchen.

Say: They did up the kitchen.

'Do up + place' — no 'with'.

More on “renovate”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I had more money, I would do up my apartment to make it more comfortable and modern.

Tell it apart

They did up the old cottage.

  • renovated it

Do your coat up, it's cold.

  • fasten it — sense 1

Goes with

  • do up + property
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fastenrenovate