1 C1 idiomatic formal
To manage and conserve resources, energy, or supplies carefully so as not to waste them.
"The garrison had to husband up their remaining food and water during the long siege."
separable
husband up
C1 formal separable transitive
To use or manage resources carefully and sparingly so they last longer.
In plain English
To be careful not to waste things so you have enough later.
What does "husband up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To act as a good husband (household manager) toward something — an archaic sense of 'husband' as a careful steward.
Actually means
To be careful not to waste things so you have enough later.
Usage tip
Rare and largely archaic. Derives from the noun 'husband' in the old sense of a careful household manager. Mostly encountered in historical texts or very formal writing. Modern speakers would typically say 'conserve' or 'save up' instead.
Words that pair with "husband up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
resources supplies strength energy funds provisions
How to conjugate "husband up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
husband up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
husbands up
he/she/it
Past simple
husbanded up
yesterday
Past participle
husbanded up
have + pp
-ing form
husbanding up
continuous
Hear "husband up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "husband up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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