1 C1 informal
To fold or roll the end of a sleeve or trouser leg upward.
"He cuffed up his sleeves before washing the dishes."
separable
cuff up
C1 informal separable transitive
To fold or turn up the cuff of a sleeve or trouser leg.
In plain English
To roll the end of your sleeve or pant leg up.
What does "cuff up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bring the cuff (the folded end of a sleeve or leg) upward.
Actually means
To roll the end of your sleeve or pant leg up.
Usage tip
Not widely recorded in major dictionaries as a set phrasal verb. The more standard expressions are 'roll up' or 'turn up' a sleeve. 'Cuff up' is used informally and regionally.
Words that pair with "cuff up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sleeve trouser leg shirt jeans
How to conjugate "cuff up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cuff up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cuffs up
he/she/it
Past simple
cuffed up
yesterday
Past participle
cuffed up
have + pp
-ing form
cuffing up
continuous
Hear "cuff up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cuff up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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