brass up

C1 informal separable transitive

In simple words

to make something look better and fancier

Literal meaning: Literally, it can suggest adding brass or polishing brass to make something shine.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

to improve the appearance of something so it seems brighter or more attractive

"They brassed up the reception area before the guests arrived."

Grammar: separable

2 C1 neutral

rare

to polish brass parts until they shine

"He spent the morning brassing up the old handles and lamps."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Rare and old-fashioned. Sometimes used literally of polishing brass or figuratively of improving appearance.

a room the place uniforms furniture the office the hall

Base

brass up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

brasses up

he/she/it

Past simple

brassed up

yesterday

Past participle

brassed up

have + pp

-ing form

brassing up

continuous

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