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Glite Dictionary
to lush it up

to lush it up

9.9
To spend more money to enjoy something very fancy, like a hotel or dinner
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : darse un capricho
  • Sometimes you just need to lush it up and treat yourself to an expensive dinner.

Examples

  • For her birthday, she plans to lush it up at a luxury hotel.

  • When in Paris, you should lush it up at the best restaurants.

  • After winning the lottery, they really decided to lush it up with a fancy vacation.

  • Let's lush it up this weekend!

  • After winning the lottery, they really decided to lush it up with a fancy vacation.

  • For her birthday, she plans to lush it up at a luxury hotel.

  • Sometimes you just need to lush it up and treat yourself to an expensive dinner.

Synonyms

to live it up
vsto lush it up
  • Informal
27 7.2

Enjoy yourself in a lively, often expensive way at parties or restaurants

is about indulging in luxury often by extra spending instead of just partying
to splurge
vsto lush it up
  • Informal
19 7.0

To spend a lot of money to treat yourself

often spends more than usual to enjoy luxury rather than modest pleasure
to live large
vsto lush it up
  • Informal
9 8.2

Enjoy yourself by spending a lot on expensive things and fun

describes indulgence often by spending more than usual rather than long term living
to live high on the hog
vsto lush it up
  • Informal
5 8.2

Have a very comfortable life with lots of money

expresses long term luxury rather than occasional extravagant spending
to luxuriate
vsto lush it up
4 7.5

To enjoy deep comfort and pleasure

focuses on enjoyment rather than specifically spending more than usual
to splash out
vsto lush it up
  • UK
1 7.2

Spend a lot of money on something, usually to celebrate or treat yourself

usually involves spending more than normal to enjoy pleasurable experiences
to have it large
vsto lush it up
  • UK
9.6

To celebrate and enjoy yourself loudly at a big party

focuses on party celebration rather than general indulgent spending
to lux up
vsto lush it up
  • Informal
9.4

Make something look more expensive by adding nicer things

is about personal indulgence and spending rather than upgrading objects

How Luxurious

to lush it up
  • Informal
9.9

Surface Forms

lush it up infinitive
lushed it up past
lushed it up past participle
lushing it up present participle
lushes it up third person singular

Morphology

lush + it + up

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'lush' (luxurious) combined with 'up' (to increase/make more) and the pronoun 'it' yields 'make it more luxurious' or 'indulge in luxury'. This verb+particle compositional pattern is common in English (and paralleled in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the parts should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase lush it up may come from the image of making a place or thing lush, meaning rich, full, and green, like adding plants and nice, expensive things. So to lush it up now means 'to treat yourself' or spend more to make something look rich and fancy.