doctor up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To change something — a document, photo, or recipe — to make it seem better or different, sometimes dishonestly.
Literal meaning: To treat something the way a doctor treats a patient — adjusting it to change its condition.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To falsify or tamper with documents, evidence, or records dishonestly.
"The accountant was arrested for doctoring up the company's financial records."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To improve or enhance food by adding seasoning, ingredients, or flavour.
"She doctored up the store-bought soup with fresh herbs and a splash of cream."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Can be used both negatively (falsifying documents) and positively (improving a recipe). The deceptive sense is more common. Often used in journalism and legal contexts. Also used casually to mean improving food by adding seasoning.
Commonly used with
documents evidence photo recipe report food
Forms
Base
doctor up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
doctors up
he/she/it
Past simple
doctored up
yesterday
Past participle
doctored up
have + pp
-ing form
doctoring up
continuous
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Synonyms
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