tan up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To get your skin to go brown by being in the sun.
Literal meaning: To tan up to a higher level of colour.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To develop a suntan, especially deliberately, by spending time in the sun or using a tanning product.
"She spent every afternoon on the balcony to tan up before the wedding."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Casual, informal expression used in everyday conversation. Often used when someone is deliberately seeking a tan before a holiday or event. Can also be used reflexively or with an object in some dialects.
Commonly used with
beach holiday summer quickly poolside nicely
Forms
Base
tan up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tans up
he/she/it
Past simple
taned up
yesterday
Past participle
taned up
have + pp
-ing form
taning up
continuous
Understand "tan up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "tan up" on Looplines