Definition of do up

The phrase "do up" originated in the UK in the mid-19th century. It was used to describe the act of renovating or decorating a space, particularly a room or building. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) traces the first recorded use of "do up" to 1852 in the context of redecorating a room. At the time, the phrase was a slang term used by builders and craftsmen who were hired to carry out the work. The expression "do up" can also be used more generally to describe the process of making something new or improved, whether it's renovating a house or just sprucing up a tired old outfit. In this sense, the phrase has a more figurative meaning, and it's often used metaphorically to describe the effort that goes into creating something new or improving existing situations. Overall, while the meaning of "do up" has broadened over time, it still retains its original connotations of redecoration and home renovation, particularly in British English dialects.