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muffle up

B2 informal separable both

In simple words

To cover yourself with warm clothes, especially a scarf around your face and neck, when it's cold.

Literal meaning: To muffle (deaden or cover) + up — the image is of smothering cold by wrapping up tightly.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

rare

To dress warmly with extra layers, especially to protect the face and neck from cold.

"Make sure you muffle up before going out — it's freezing tonight."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Chiefly British English. Suggests wrapping up specifically to muffle the cold, with connotations of covering the ears, nose, and throat. Less common than 'wrap up' or 'bundle up' but understood by most British speakers.

Commonly used with

scarf coat cold winter children neck

Forms

Base

muffle up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

muffles up

he/she/it

Past simple

muffled up

yesterday

Past participle

muffled up

have + pp

-ing form

muffling up

continuous

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Synonyms

wrap up bundle up layer up cover up rug up

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