[mesmark]

I was asked about the usage of 'do up' in my advanced class on Friday. The student heard it on a TV program and wanted to know how to use it. Here's what I said, but do you have anything to add or disagree.

'do up' means to make something special or nicer in appearance and is often used in slang to include a certain style.

We're going to do up the room. We're going to get new wall paper and some new furniture.

We're going to do up this party American style. We're all going to get drunk and start breaking *stuff*.

She had her hair done up for the prom.

We're having a barbeque this Sunday and I'm going to do up some hamburgers.

[michèle 2]

Hi !
I thought " do up" meant : " you do your belt or clothes up"
" your shoelace is undone do it up before you have an accident"
thanks Mark, i didn't know that meaning

[livinginkorea]

I think of "do up" as more about re-painting the old wall or making something that wasn't nice looking, to look better and more attractive.

Here's a few definitions from Cambridge Dictionary. I think that the first one is the most popular use of this phrasal verb.

do sth up (BUILDING) phrasal verb [M]
to repair or decorate a building so that it looks attractive:
I'd like to buy a run-down cottage that I can do up.

do (sth) up (FASTEN) phrasal verb [M]
to fasten something or become fastened:
Can you help me to do up my dress?
Do your shoes/laces up before you trip over.
These trousers must have shrunk - I can't do the zip up.
Why won't this zip do up?
NOTE: The opposite is undo (UNFASTEN).

do sth up (WRAP) phrasal verb [M]
to wrap something in paper:
She always does her presents up beautifully in gold and silver paper.

Hope that this helps.

[simplyesl]

I don't know if it's just me, but i can't think of any situations where i'd personally use "do up" .... well apart from doing up my shoes . Although i do agree with the above about how it can be used.

[clivehawkins]

Quote simplyesl

I don't know if it's just me, but i can't think of any situations where i'd personally use "do up"

Funnily enough, I used it only yesterday! And these were my exact words:

I'm taking a week off at Easter to do up the spare room before the new bedroom furniture arrives.

Maybe it's a regional thing but in London I'd say we use it a lot - especially considering we appear to be a nation of DIY (Do It Yourself) enthusiasts. Or should that be DOIY (Do It Up Yourself)? :-)