pad up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To put on batting pads preparatory to taking the field to bat.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Normally only one batsman is padded up and Dean Jones was listed to bat next.

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).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To put on pads to ready oneself to play American football; to play for a team.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To put on a diaper.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “pad up” mean?

To put on batting pads preparatory to taking the field to bat.

Is “pad up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.