Bundle up

Meaning

The idiom "bundle up" means to gather someone or something together and protect them from the cold or bad weather by providing additional clothing layers, often in the form of blankets or insulation. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is tightly wound or wrapped up in their emotions or concerns.

Usage

• I told my grandma she should bundle up before we went on our hike through the forest. She's always cold when we're outside.
• The baby was so upset that she started to cry loudly. I quickly grabbed a blanket and bundled her up in it, hoping it would calm her down.
• We had to bundle up all of our luggage with thick plastic bags before putting it in the cargo area of the plane. They said there were potential issues with moisture damaging electronics.
• She was so nervous about the job interview that she started fidgeting with her hands. I reassured her and told her to just bundle up her nerves and focus on doing her best.
• The winter storm came in early, so we had to bundle up in our warmest gear before heading out for dinner. It was freezing cold outside, but we were determined to have a good time.

Roots and History

The idiom "bundle up" likely has its roots in the literal act of wrapping someone or something in blankets or insulation to keep them warm. This practice has been around since ancient times, with civilizations such as Egypt and China using animal hides and woven fabrics to cover themselves during cold weather. In more recent times, the phrase "bundle up" has taken on a metaphorical meaning, likely due to its association with physical protection from the elements. It can be used to describe someone who is tightly wound or wrapped up in their emotions or concerns, as though they are protecting themselves from the outside world. This usage first appeared in English in the 19th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Synonyms in English

• Dress up warmly/in layers
• Don a coat or jacket
• Wrap oneself up in something
• Protect from the elements
• Keep warm with extra clothing

Synonyms in other languages

• English: Dress up warmly, don a coat or jacket, wrap oneself up in something, protect from the elements, keep warm with extra clothing
• Spanish: Llevarse bien vestido/a, ponerse una jubeta, enveloparse en algo, protegerse del frío, mantenerse caliente con más ropa
• French: Vêtir habillé/e/a, mettre une gilette, s'envelopper dans quelque chose, protéger du froid, se garder chaud avec plus de vêtements
• German: Mit einer Mantel auskleiden/in, ein Jackett tragen, sich in etwas verpacken, den Kälter schützen, mit mehr Kleidung bleiben warm
• Italian: Avere una abbigliamento caldo/a, indossare un grembo, avvolgersi in qualcosa, proteggersi dal freddo, rimanere caldo con più vestiti

Similar Idioms

• what are you up to

• blow hot and cold

• barrel of monkeys