mug-up
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To paint one’s face, or dress specially with a view to impersonation.—Theatrical. To "cram" for an examination.—Army.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “mug-up” mean?
To paint one’s face, or dress specially with a view to impersonation.—Theatrical. To "cram" for an examination.—Army.
Is “mug-up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.