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bone up. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bone up, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bone up in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
bone up you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
Verb
bone up (third-person singular simple present bones up, present participle boning up, simple past and past participle boned up)
- (intransitive, slang) To study or cram, especially in order to refresh one's knowledge of a topic.
- Synonyms: brush up, review, revise, rub up
1913, William Christian Schmeisser, Are You Going To College?, page 132:Information acquired in that way, makes an impression ; this "boning" up for an examination is all right as a finishing touch, but it will not last.
1914, Kathleen Norris, chapter 2, in Saturday's Child:Here's your chance to bone up on the segregating, or crediting, or whatever you call it.
2004 September 14, Kate Novack, “Fashion Literacy”, in Time:Now is the perfect time to bone up on your fashion history.
Usage notes
- In contemporary usage bone up is intransitive and often followed by on, or for, but in dated usage it was sometimes used with a direct object, as in:
1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 17, in Indiscretions of Archie:My idea was to get this book and coach the dear old chap. Rehearse him, don't you know. He could bone up the early chapters a bit and then drift round and try his convincing talk on me.
Translations
See also