to paint up
1
2.5
- phrasal verb
- /peɪnt ʌp/
:
pintar
- Get a wire brush, scrape holders back here and paint up the rocker cover and again have the Rolls Royce sanded back just like this here.
Sometimes I will paint up all of my curls but for time's sake I did not do that today.
- Sometimes I will paint up all of my curls but for time's sake I did not do that today.
Examples
-
So you're painting up to that blue, and then did you see all day to do this bit?
-
Get this place dried out and painted up.
-
They could be painted up and everything.
Fiction book (1993) -
Sometimes I will paint up all of my curls but for time's sake I did not do that today.
-
That's what we're basically painting up flat Gray GI Joes.
-
The models are 6mm Irregular Miniatures, somewhat rough and ready, but they paint up quickly and do look good en masse.
Blog text (23) -
Kappata tends to paint up to half a dozen canvases at a time, sketching the outlines of landscapes and figures first, and then applying different colors.
Academic text (1997) -
They decided to paint up the old fence to make their yard look more inviting.
-
After a long winter, she was eager to paint up the house in bright, cheerful colors.
-
The community center volunteers worked together to paint up the playground equipment for the children.
Synonyms
854
1.0
To put coloured liquid on a surface to protect or change how it looks
226
1.9
To make something look nicer by adding paint, ornaments, or other items
56
3.4
Make something look nicer or more attractive for a special event
45
4.9
To put decorations on something to make it look more beautiful
41
3.2
To change the inside of a room by adding new paint, wallpaper, or furniture
27
1.3
Paint something again to make it look new or different
10
6.3
To make something more beautiful by adding decorative details
10
3.7
Wrap and decorate something like a present to make it look attractive
8
3.8
Make small changes to something to improve how it looks
8
4.2
To make small changes to the look of hair or a photo
6
4.3
Make people and places look nicer by dressing up, adding decorations, or using makeup
5
8.6
To dress or decorate in a fancy way to look nicer
4
3.7
To add decorations to something to make it look nicer
2
3.8
To put paint on paper using your fingers
1
3.4
To make something a different shade by painting, dyeing, or editing
1
5.0
Make something look more attractive, often only on the surface
1
5.8
To make something better in how it works or how it looks
1
3.5
To put a new layer of paint or finish on something already painted
1
6.2
To paint over an existing layer to cover or change it
To cover something with an extra layer, often paint or varnish
To make someone or something look fancier to impress people
Make something look more stylish and attractive
To make something old look new by fixing or cleaning it
Antonyms
How Thorough
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to apply paint to improve appearance' is directly built from 'paint' (to put paint on a surface) plus the particle 'up' which here signals completion or improvement. This verb+particle composition is a common, compositional pattern in English and is likely recoverable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The verb paint up comes from the simple image of covering something all over with paint to make it look newer or more attractive. Here paint means to put colour on something and up adds the sense of finishing or 'decorating', so paint up means 'to paint something to improve its appearance'.