chef-it-up
/ˌʃɛf ɪt ˈʌp/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To cook in a showy, skilful, or improvising way, as if acting like a chef. It is informal and playful, and often suggests making a dish look special.
- She really chef-it-uped the leftovers.
- He chef-it-uped dinner for his friends.
- Don't just heat it—chef-it-up a little.
Adinary Nuance
Chef-it-up is more playful than cook or make. It suggests extra style, creativity, or effort, not just preparing food. Use it in casual speech, not in formal writing or business contexts. It sounds like a fun, modern expression rather than a standard dictionary verb.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nấu nướng kiểu đầu bếp
- Spanish
- cocinar con estilo
- Chinese
- 大显厨艺
- Japanese
- 料理上手に作る
- Korean
- 요리사처럼 요리하다
Etymology
This is a modern informal English phrase built from chef plus the common phrasal pattern '... it up'. It uses the image of a chef to suggest skill and style in cooking.
Common phrases
chef-it-up in the kitchenchef-it-up for guestschef-it-up a quick meal
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is chef-it-up a common word?
- No, it is informal and fairly new-looking. People may understand it, but it is not standard in formal English.
- Is chef-it-up the same as cook?
- Not exactly. Cook is neutral, while chef-it-up sounds more stylish and playful.
- Can I use chef-it-up in IELTS writing?
- Usually no. It sounds too informal for academic writing.