dab up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To clean (usually a liquid spill) by dabbing; to soak up a fluid by dabbing (To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “dab up” mean?
To clean (usually a liquid spill) by dabbing; to soak up a fluid by dabbing (To press lightly in a repetitive motion with a soft object without rubbing).
Is “dab up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.