shine up

B2 informal separable both

In simple words

To make something shiny by cleaning and polishing it — or to try to get someone to like you by being extra nice to them.

Literal meaning: To apply effort upward (i.e., in a positive direction) to make something emit or reflect light — polishing.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

uncommon

To clean and polish an object until it gleams and reflects light.

"He spent an hour shining up the old trophy before putting it in the cabinet."

Grammar: separable

2 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

(Informal, chiefly American) To try to win someone's favour through flattery or overly friendly behaviour.

"Everyone noticed that he was always shining up to the manager, hoping for a promotion."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

The polishing sense is transparent and used in everyday speech. The sense of flattering someone ('shining up to the boss') is informal and chiefly American. Both senses are used but neither is extremely frequent.

Commonly used with

shoes silver brass car boss teacher surface

Forms

Base

shine up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

shines up

he/she/it

Past simple

shined up

yesterday

Past participle

shined up

have + pp

-ing form

shining up

continuous

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