1 C1 informal
to dirty or mark something by handling it with hands or paws
"The kids pawed up the clean window with sticky fingers."
separable
paw up
C1 informal separable transitive
to make something dirty, marked, or untidy by touching it with hands or paws
In plain English
to make something messy by touching it too much
What does "paw up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to cover something with paw marks or hand marks
Actually means
to make something messy by touching it too much
Usage tip
Rare and colloquial. Often used for glass, clothes, or clean surfaces marked by dirty hands or animals' paws.
Words that pair with "paw up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
window dress floor car door glass furniture
How to conjugate "paw up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
paw up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
paws up
he/she/it
Past simple
pawed up
yesterday
Past participle
pawed up
have + pp
-ing form
pawing up
continuous
Hear "paw up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "paw up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "paw up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.