mugged up

USAGE SUMMARY

"mugged up" is not a correct phrase to use in written English.
It is an informal phrase, more in the realm of spoken or informal language. An example sentence using a similar phrase could be something like "I quickly studied up on Canadian geography before my trip" or "I brushed up on my French for the upcoming exam".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"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

She might easily have mugged up the doxy part ("my smock-rampant") but often looks slightly askance at the boys' business.

The Guardian

Wehn mugged up the wide-eyed astonishment at Brits' supposed foibles, while his wicked grin signalled that none of this was to be taken seriously.

The Guardian

Whishaw has commented that he didn't know a lot about Keats before auditioning for Campion but he has since mugged up and now knows that Keats was "a beautiful human being and poet".

The Guardian - Books

There his fiction was transformed by the arrival of a friend with an enthusiasm for Jack the Ripper, a subject which Dibdin mugged up so that he could guide him to grisly spots.

The Guardian

Mortifyingly, the Labour MP Helen Goodman, visiting a village called Ingleton in her Bishop Auckland constituency, delivered a glowing encomium to the place's beauty, only to find she had inadvertently mugged up a different Ingleton, over the border in Yorkshire.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

No? Well, all the critics do, so you'd better mug up pronto.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "mugged up" with more standard phrases like "studied intensively", "reviewed quickly", or "crammed" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "mugged up" in formal contexts, such as academic papers or business reports, as it can undermine the credibility of your writing. Choose a more appropriate synonym to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mugged up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the action of quickly studying or learning something, often in preparation for a specific event or task. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is informal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "mugged up" effectively conveys the idea of studying or learning quickly, it's important to recognize its informal nature. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is incorrect in formal writing. Therefore, when writing for academic or professional audiences, it is advisable to use more appropriate alternatives like "studied intensively" or "reviewed quickly". Although the phrase is commonly found in news and media, its use should be carefully considered to maintain the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crammed

Implies a very intensive and short-term study effort, similar to 'mugged up'.

studied intensively

Emphasizes the focused and concentrated nature of studying, similar to preparing in a short amount of time.

brushed up on

Refers to reviewing existing knowledge to refresh one's memory, implying quick preparation.

swotted up

British English equivalent to 'mugged up', indicating a concentrated study session.

read up on

Indicates gathering information on a topic, suggesting a preparation action.

boned up on

Informal term for studying something quickly, similar to 'mugged up'.

prepared quickly

Highlights the speed of the preparation, similar to 'mugged up'.

got up to speed on

Implies learning new information in a short period, similar to preparing fast.

crammed for

Focuses on studying specifically for an exam or test, an intensive preparation.

did some last-minute studying

Highlights the lateness of the studying, a preparation at the edge.

FAQs

What does "mugged up" mean?

The phrase "mugged up" means to study or learn something quickly, usually for a specific purpose such as an exam or presentation. It's considered an informal term.

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

While "mugged up" is informal, you could say, "I "crammed" on the material before the test" or "She "brushed up on" her French before the trip".

Which is correct, "mugged up" or "studied intensively"?

"Studied intensively" is more appropriate for formal writing. "Mugged up" is considered informal and is better suited for casual conversation.

What are some formal alternatives to "mugged up"?

Formal alternatives include "studied intensively", "reviewed quickly", or "prepared thoroughly".