bone up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To study or cram, especially in order to refresh one's knowledge of a topic.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Information acquired in that way, makes an impression ; this "boning" up for an examination is all right as a finishing touch, but it will not last.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “bone up” mean?
To study or cram, especially in order to refresh one's knowledge of a topic.
Is “bone up” formal or informal?
bone up is generally slang.