The phrasal verb "duff up" is predominantly used in informal contexts, particularly in British English. It means to beat someone up or physically assault them, often implying a severe thrashing. This phrase is rarely found in formal writing or speech due to its slang nature and the violent connotations it carries. "Duff up" is commonly encountered in casual conversations, colloquial narratives, and pop culture references such as in movies or TV shows where street or gang language is depicted. It is not typically used by individuals who are unfamiliar with British colloquialisms, which can lead to a lack of understanding in an audience not versed in this English dialect. It is important to use this phrasal verb considerately, given its aggressive nature.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To beat or injure someone by hitting them repeatedly.
They decided to duff up the bully who was bothering their friends.
He threatened to duff me up if I didn’t hand over my wallet.