1 A2 neutral
To fasten or close an item of clothing, such as buttons, a zip, or shoelaces.
"It's cold outside — do up your coat before you leave."
separable
do up
A2 informal separable transitive
To fasten clothing or packaging, or to renovate and redecorate a building.
In plain English
To close or fasten something like a button or zip, or to fix up a building to make it look nice.
What does "do up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To renovate or redecorate a building or room to improve its condition and appearance.
"They bought an old cottage and spent years doing it up."
separable
3 B1 informal
To wrap or package something, especially as a gift.
"She did up the presents in gold paper and tied them with ribbon."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bring something up to a done/closed state.
Actually means
To close or fasten something like a button or zip, or to fix up a building to make it look nice.
Usage tip
Very common in British English. The 'fasten' sense is used for all kinds of clothing fastenings. The 'renovate' sense is particularly British. The wrapping sense also exists but is less frequent.
Words that pair with "do up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
buttons zip laces house flat parcel jacket
How to conjugate "do up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
do up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
does up
he/she/it
Past simple
did up
yesterday
Past participle
done up
have + pp
-ing form
doing up
continuous
Hear "do up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "do up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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