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do up

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do someone or something up

to make someone or something attractive; to decorate or ornament someone or something. Sally did Jane up for the party. Would you do up this present for Jane? It's her birthday.

See also: up

do something up

 

1. . to fasten, zip, hook, or button some item of clothing. Would you do my buttons up in back? Please do up my buttons.

2. to wrap up something, such as a package, gift, etc. I have to do this present up before the party guests get here. Do up the presents quickly. They are coming up the walk.

3. to arrange, fix, repair, cook, clean, etc., something. I have to do the kitchen up before the guests get here. Do up the kitchen now, please.

See also: up

do up

1. Fasten up or put up; also, dress up. For example, Let's do up all the gifts in matching paper, or Please help me do up the collar button, or Jane did up her hair for the dance, or The children were all done up in their best outfits. [c. 1800]

2. do something up brown or do it up brown . Do something thoroughly or very well, as in They really did it up brown for the dinner party. The allusion here is unclear, but it may be to wrapping a package in brown paper. [Mid-1800s]

See also: up

do up

v.

1. To adorn or dress someone or something lavishly: I did the kids up in Halloween costumes for the party. Let's do up the living room with some new paint. The children were all done up in matching outfits.

2. To wrap and tie something, such as a package: She did up the birthday presents in beautiful bows and ribbons. I took all the packages to the post office, did them up with twine, and sent them right away.

3. To fasten completely some item or part of clothing: She did up the buttons on her dress and put on her shoes. He did his trousers up and left the changing room.

See also: up