To put on a suit, uniform, or specialized outfit in preparation for an activity.
To put on your uniform, costume, or work clothes and get ready to do something.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To put on a business suit or formal attire, typically before an important meeting or professional event.
"We need to suit up before the client presentation — first impressions matter."
Suit up!
— Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), 'How I Met Your Mother', CBS, 2005–2014 (recurring catchphrase)
To put on a specialized functional suit or protective gear before a dangerous or technical activity, such as diving, astronaut training, or firefighting.
"The astronauts spent two hours suiting up before the spacewalk."
To put on a sports uniform or kit before a game or practice.
"The team suited up in the locker room and headed onto the field."
(Figurative) To prepare yourself mentally and practically for a difficult task or challenge.
"It's going to be a tough negotiation, but we're going to suit up and get it done."
To put on a suit (clothing).
To put on your uniform, costume, or work clothes and get ready to do something.
Used in both literal senses (putting on a business suit, sports uniform, spacesuit, diving suit, etc.) and figurative senses (getting ready for a challenge). Popularized in casual American English and in the TV show 'How I Met Your Mother' through the character Barney Stinson's catchphrase.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "suit up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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