cream up
B1 informal separable both
In simple words
To rub cream all over your skin or someone else's skin.
Literal meaning: To apply cream upward or all over the body — transparent in meaning.
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To apply cream or lotion generously over the skin.
"Don't forget to cream up before you go out in the sun — your shoulders will burn."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 informal
To apply cream to someone else's skin, such as a baby or child.
"She creamed up the baby after the bath and wrapped him in a warm towel."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in everyday informal speech, especially regarding skincare, sun protection, or medicinal cream. Can be reflexive ('cream yourself up') or transitive ('cream up the baby'). More common in British and Australian English.
Commonly used with
sunscreen lotion moisturiser baby skin hands
Forms
Base
cream up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
creams up
he/she/it
Past simple
creamed up
yesterday
Past participle
creamed up
have + pp
-ing form
creaming up
continuous
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Synonyms
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