husband up

C1 formal separable transitive

In simple words

To be careful not to waste things so you have enough later.

Literal meaning: To act as a good husband (household manager) toward something — an archaic sense of 'husband' as a careful steward.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

To manage and conserve resources, energy, or supplies carefully so as not to waste them.

"The garrison had to husband up their remaining food and water during the long siege."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Rare and largely archaic. Derives from the noun 'husband' in the old sense of a careful household manager. Mostly encountered in historical texts or very formal writing. Modern speakers would typically say 'conserve' or 'save up' instead.

Commonly used with

resources supplies strength energy funds provisions

Forms

Base

husband up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

husbands up

he/she/it

Past simple

husbanded up

yesterday

Past participle

husbanded up

have + pp

-ing form

husbanding up

continuous

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