dab up
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To pick up a little bit of liquid by pressing something soft on it.
Literal meaning: To dab something and bring it up (off the surface).
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To gently absorb or collect drops of a liquid from a surface using a cloth, tissue, or sponge.
"Dab up any excess egg wash from the pastry edges before baking."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
(Informal, UK slang) To greet someone with a fist bump or special handshake. Variant of 'dap up'.
"He dabbed up his mate as soon as he walked through the door."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used in cooking, beauty, and medical contexts. Suggests care and precision — the amount being removed is typically small. More common in British English informal contexts.
Commonly used with
blood grease excess oil tears spill moisture
Forms
Base
dab up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dabs up
he/she/it
Past simple
dabed up
yesterday
Past participle
dabed up
have + pp
-ing form
dabing up
continuous
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