1
general::
Phrase(s): do someone or something up
to make someone or something attractive; to decorate or ornament someone or something. • Sally did Jane up for the party. • Would you do up this present for Jane? It’s her birthday., Phrase(s): do something up
1. to fasten, zip, hook, or button some item of clothing. • Would you do my buttons up in back? • Please do up my buttons. 2. to wrap up something, such as a package, gift, etc. • I have to do this present up before the party guests get here. • Do up the presents quickly. They are coming up the walk. 3. to arrange, fix, repair, cook, clean, etc., something. • I have to do the kitchen up before the guests get here. • Do up the kitchen now, please.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Fasten up or put up; also, dress up. For example, Let's do up all the gifts in matching paper, or Please help me do up the collar button, or Jane did up her hair for the dance, or The children were all done up in their best outfits. [c. 1800] 2. do something up brown or do it up brown. Do something thoroughly or very well, as in They really did it up brown for the dinner party. The allusion here is unclear, but it may be to wrapping a package in brown paper. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms