1 A2 neutral
To cover the body or a surface thoroughly with soap, usually creating a lather.
"Soap up your hands for at least twenty seconds before rinsing them under the tap."
separable
soap up
A2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To apply soap to the body or a surface and work it into a lather.
In plain English
To put soap on yourself or something else and rub it in.
What does "soap up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To flatter or praise someone excessively, often to gain a favour (informal, less common).
"He was soaping up the boss all morning, hoping to get the Friday afternoon off."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cover with soap going upward — transparent and literal.
Actually means
To put soap on yourself or something else and rub it in.
Usage tip
Commonly used in the context of showering or bathing. Can be reflexive ('soap yourself up') or intransitive ('soap up first, then rinse'). More common in American English.
Words that pair with "soap up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hands body hair skin brush sponge
How to conjugate "soap up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
soap up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
soaps up
he/she/it
Past simple
soaped up
yesterday
Past participle
soaped up
have + pp
-ing form
soaping up
continuous
Hear "soap up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "soap up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "soap up"
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Keep exploring
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