mug up

USAGE SUMMARY

"mug up" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is an informal phrase meaning to study something intensely, often for a short period of time before a test or exam. For example, "I'm going to have to mug up on my Maths before the test tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

2. Mug up on history.

The Guardian - Travel

He told his critics to "mug up on their history".

The Guardian

"People can mug up and learn quickly but it is not what you want.

The Guardian

Which leads me to one last thing: mug up on your Second World War history.

The Guardian - Travel

And he is off, to mug up on Euclid, and on the Indian roots of algebra.

The Guardian

Mug up on quizzing staples: longest rivers, regnal years and FA Cup finalists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

I remember mugging up lots of long words to impress the examiner.

The New York Times

But the bomb, itself tired and with nothing to do, has spent its idle hours mugging up on philosophy.

The Economist

Getting projects approved requires more than mugging up on planning regulations: plenty of rules are unwritten, while political objections can be unpredictable.

The Economist

"Basically, they mugged up on the list," said Jennifer Segal, who has edited a history of the competition for its 60th anniversary, titled "Reds, Whites and Varsity Blues".

The New York Times

The day before the boys came back for this spring term, the whole staff was in the Great Hall mugging up the essentials on a refresher course.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mug up", be mindful of your audience, as it's more common in British English. Consider using synonyms like "study intensively" or "cram" for a broader audience.

Common error

Avoid using "mug up" in contexts where "mug" refers to a cup or a violent attack. Ensure the context clearly indicates you mean to study intensively to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mug up" functions as an intransitive verb (phrasal verb). According to Ludwig AI, it means to study something intensely, especially in preparation for an exam or test. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, primarily related to acquiring knowledge quickly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mug up" is an informal phrasal verb primarily used in British English to describe the act of studying intensively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples demonstrating its prevalence in news and media sources. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider the audience and context, opting for more formal alternatives like "study intensively" in professional or academic settings. Avoid confusing it with other meanings of "mug". Overall, "mug up" remains a useful colloquialism for expressing focused preparation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swot up on

Similar to "mug up", commonly used in British English, referring to intensive studying.

study intensively

Focuses on the intensity of studying, omitting the 'last-minute' implication of "mug up".

cram for

Specifically refers to preparing for an exam in a short amount of time.

bone up on

Emphasizes acquiring knowledge quickly, often to refresh one's memory.

brush up on

Implies refreshing existing knowledge rather than learning something new.

get up to speed on

Focuses on becoming knowledgeable about a topic, often in a professional context.

read up on

Simply means to learn about something by reading.

familiarize oneself with

A more formal way of saying to become acquainted with something.

get acquainted with

Similar to familiarize, but slightly less formal.

learn the ropes

Refers to learning how to do something, often in a practical sense.

FAQs

What does "mug up" mean?

"Mug up" means to study something intensively, usually for a short period before an exam or test. It's often used in British English.

How can I use "mug up" in a sentence?

You can say, "I need to "study intensively" on that chapter before the quiz tomorrow" or "He had to "cram for" the history exam."

What are some alternatives to "mug up"?

Alternatives include ""study intensively"", "cram", "bone up on", and "swot up on".

Is "mug up" formal or informal?

"Mug up" is generally considered an informal phrase. In more formal contexts, using ""study intensively"" or "prepare thoroughly" would be more appropriate.