dust-up

Related to dust-up: Dust mites

dust up

1. To remove dust and dirt from someone or something by patting, brushing, or wiping. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "up." After sliding into third base, I got up and dusted myself up. Here, take this rag and dust up the TV stand before Grandma gets here.
2. To begin to use something that has been dormant or unused for a long time, as if it were covered in dust. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "up." I decided to dust up the novel I started writing in college and finally try to finish it.
3. To cover something with dust or a dust-like substance. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "up." I like to finish the cake by dusting it up with powdered sugar.
4. To pass someone very quickly or handily, as on a trail or in a race. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "up." I thought I would be a faster climber, but Jack completely dusted me up to the summit. The younger runner dusted up all of his competitors.
5. To make someone or oneself ready to continue trying to do something or begin something again, especially after something unpleasant or demoralizing has happened. A noun or pronoun is used between "dust" and "up" I know you struggled last season, but it's time to dust yourself up and start fresh this season. I really struggled after losing my job, but my wife helped dust me up and start looking for a new career.
6. To punch or beat someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "up." I ran to get a teacher when I heard the school bully threaten to dust up another kid in our class. The detective dusted the suspect up a bit when he refused to admit to the crime.
See also: dust, up

dust-up

A fight or argument. I'm glad to see that you guys made up after your little dust-up the other night.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dust-up

n. a fight. There was a dust-up at the party that ruined the evening for everyone.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • dust up
  • dust off
  • dust someone off
  • dust out
  • after/when the dust settles
  • when the dust settles
  • curly
  • curly dirt
  • dust of angels
References in periodicals archive
Dean Pithie won the Commonwealth superfeatherweight belt there and Neil Simpson's win in 2001 ranks among the most dramatic domestic dust-ups of the last decade.
Skydome's staging big fight night; BOXING
29 the most likely date for one of the biggest dust-ups the country has seen.
Champion Naito agrees to grudge match with Kameda
This probably isn't the best time for a union to go up against management, but so often these dust-ups come more from local personalities than from HQ policy (whether that HQ is a company or a union).
Union contract gripes in D.C., Maine
One way to avoid potential dust-ups is to have clear rate structures and, he added, the Post (as does the Times) imposes a set of editorial standards that an ad has to meet.
More Political-Ad Fallout On the Way?
While it's true that no account of the Khyber Pass could attempt to leave out its strategic military importance, Paddy Docherty, author of this fine history of the region, does set his sights wider than simply itemising the military dust-ups associated with this blood-soaked road.
The Khyber Pass: A History of Empire and Invasion
In a fractious contest which contained several handbagging dust-ups, new assistant coach Tim Stimpson, the former Leeds, Leicester and England full-back, made his Nuns debut.
Rugby: Cull has star role in Nuns revival; NATIONAL THREE NORTH
Dust-ups with state regulators, such as the investigation by the State of California into the compensation of the chief executive at the Getty, bolsters Grassley's case for additional oversight.
Back to work: so much about which to be wary
But the hosts began to fight in every sense and a series of dust-ups seemed to give them the passion they needed to mount their comeback.
Rugby Union: BUZZING BEES SHARE IT; B'HAM/SOLIHULL 24 BEDFORD 24
Harris describes a litany of botched coups, bungled negotiations, and bureaucratic dust-ups that led inexorably to an invasion by new president George Bush, eager to prove his dedication to the War on Drugs.
KILLING PABLO: A Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw
Atlanta's last five matches have yielded 23 of them, Houston's matches go at exactly three goals a game while the two previous MLS dust-ups between the teams have produced nine.
Goals look likely as reeling sides meet
The duo are both bidding to equal Juan Manuel Fangio's tally of five drivers' titles this season and look set for several more dust-ups over the 21-race campaign.
PARTY POOPER; FORMULA 1 Race rivals already feuding Down Under; Lewis takes another pole as insults start to fly
And he believes his grounding in the English top flight will prepare him well for the challenges he will face in the provincial dust-ups.
New boy Moriarty aims to make tour a memorable journey
"There are a lot of really good fighters in this division in the region and that makes for some good, local dust-ups."
Fergie fighting for his old coach again; DAVEY IS BACK WITH ROWE AFTER FOUR YEARS AWAY
With the advent of social media, hip-hop feuds have slowly gone from the streets to the web, as evident by dust-ups involving Azealia Banks and Kanye West.
Oddsmakers Favor Brown Over Soulja Boy
This is small potatoes as election dust-ups go, but we don't blame Mr.
Demote the capital