1 B2 informal
To make a space, garden, or environment richer, more beautiful, and more abundantly decorated or planted.
"They lushd up the rooftop terrace with hanging vines and tropical plants."
separable
lush up
C1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make something more lush, rich, luxurious, or visually appealing; also (slang) to become drunk.
In plain English
To make a place or thing look much better and more beautiful, like adding lots of plants or decorations — or (in slang) to get drunk.
What does "lush up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
(Slang) To drink alcohol heavily; to become drunk.
"He'd been lushing up since noon and could barely stand by evening."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Lush' means richly abundant and green or luxurious; 'up' signals improvement or increase. The literal sense of enhancing richness is fairly transparent.
Actually means
To make a place or thing look much better and more beautiful, like adding lots of plants or decorations — or (in slang) to get drunk.
Usage tip
Two distinct uses: (1) To enhance the visual richness or luxuriousness of a space, garden, or design — common in interior design and gardening contexts. (2) Slang, particularly older American slang: to drink alcohol and become intoxicated. The gardening/design sense is the more current and neutral use.
Words that pair with "lush up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
garden space interior décor atmosphere plants
How to conjugate "lush up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lush up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lushes up
he/she/it
Past simple
lushed up
yesterday
Past participle
lushed up
have + pp
-ing form
lushing up
continuous
Hear "lush up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "lush up"
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Keep exploring
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