do it up brown
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To do something well or thoroughly.
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
[…] seized by Mr. Stompff, who, scarcely waiting to carry him out of earshot, began, “Well! you've done it up brown this time, my man, and no flies! Your pictures have woke 'em up. They're talking of nothing else. […]
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 “do it up brown” mean?
To do something well or thoroughly.
Is “do it up brown” formal or informal?
do it up brown is generally dated, slang.