1 B1 informal
To make something or someone dirty, especially thoroughly or deliberately.
"Don't dirty up your new shoes before the ceremony."
separable
dirty up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make something or someone dirty, or to become dirty.
In plain English
To get something dirty or to make it look messy and soiled.
What does "dirty up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To become dirty or stained.
"White fabric dirties up so much faster than darker colours."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something dirty, increasing its dirtiness upward.
Actually means
To get something dirty or to make it look messy and soiled.
Usage tip
Informal and widely understood. Can be transitive ('dirty up the floor') or reflexive ('dirty yourself up'). Also used in film and design contexts similarly to 'dirty down', though with less specific connotation of realistic ageing.
Words that pair with "dirty up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
floor clothes hands car image room
How to conjugate "dirty up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dirty up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dirties up
he/she/it
Past simple
dirtied up
yesterday
Past participle
dirtied up
have + pp
-ing form
dirtying up
continuous
Hear "dirty up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dirty up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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