black up

To wear dark face makeup to imitate a Black person, usually in a performance.

• The actor blacked up for the show.
• Old photographs showed performers who had blacked up.
• The theater no longer allows actors to black up.

How to use it: black up for something (The actor blacked up for the role.)

Similar words: wear blackface

Common phrases: black up onstage, black up for something

To become black or darker, or make something black or darker.

• He blacked up the worn leather with polish.
• The surface blacked up as smoke gathered above it.
• She used dark paint to black up the pale patches.

How to use it: black something up (He blacked the boots up with polish.)

Similar words: blacken, darken

Opposites: lighten

Common phrases: black something up, black up boots

To add more Black people or more elements of Black culture to something.

• The review claimed the studio had blacked up the cast.
• The director was accused of blacking up the story.
• A columnist described the remake as an attempt to black up the film.

How to use it: black something up (The critic said the producers had blacked the cast up.)

Common phrases: black something up, black up something