1 C1 idiomatic informal
To polish boots, buttons, or military equipment to a very high shine, especially for inspection.
"The recruits spent hours bulling up their boots before the morning parade."
separable
bull up
C1 informal separable transitive
To polish military kit, equipment, or shoes to a high shine (British military slang).
In plain English
To polish boots or military equipment until they are perfectly shiny.
What does "bull up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
British military slang. Refers to the painstaking process of polishing boots and other equipment to a mirror finish, especially for inspections. Rarely used outside military contexts. 'Bulling' (the gerund) is also used as a noun.
Words that pair with "bull up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boots buttons kit uniform inspection parade
How to conjugate "bull up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bull up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bulls up
he/she/it
Past simple
bulled up
yesterday
Past participle
bulled up
have + pp
-ing form
bulling up
continuous
Hear "bull up" in the wild
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