do up

verb

did up; done up; doing up; does up

transitive verb

1

: fasten

do up the buttons of a shirt

… an elderly lady with her jacket done up tightly against the wind …

—Sue Lloyd-Roberts

2

a

: to deck (someone) out : clothe

The waitstaff was done up in western attire.

b

: to furnish (something) with something ornamental : decorate

She always does up the house for the holidays.

3

: to prepare (something) for wear or use (as by cleaning or repairing)

"… I'll make the pies and lady fingers tomorrow and do up my white muslin dress. …"

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

4

a

: to wrap (something) up

do up a package

b

: to prepare and preserve (something) for later use : can entry 2, put up

I did up a bushel of tomatoes.

5

: exhaust, wear out

This contact with righteousness has about done me up!

—Sinclair Lewis

Synonyms

• adorn
• array
• beautify
• bedeck
• bedizen
• blazon
• caparison
• deck
• decorate
• do
• doll up
• drape
• dress
• embellish
• emblaze
• emboss
• enrich
• fancify
• fancy up
• festoon
• garnish
• glitz (up)
• grace
• gussy up
• ornament
• pretty (up)
• trim

Examples of do up in a Sentence

the whole house had been done up for Halloween

on Wild West Day some of the women came to the office done up as showgirls, while the men were mostly outlaws

Recent Examples on the Web

Named for Napoleon’s second wife who reigned over the city, the hotel is done up in a classic style, with 101 rooms and suites, Maxim’s Restaurant, and L’Aiglon Bar. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2024

Both stars were done up in their diva best for the meeting, which took place in the venue built for Dion's 2003 A New Day residency. —Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

Last year, Axiom revealed an early iteration of that outer layer, done up in dark colors to hide other proprietary elements. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Dramatically done up in monochromatic tones of mint green, dusty rose, and powder blue, the 124 guest rooms and suites marry the regal feeling of French castles with contemporary conveniences such as towel warmers, technology panels to customize lighting and temperature, and smart toilets. —Katie Chang, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 3