do up / to ruin

[sergiofreeman69]

Hi There!

Reading an old Phrasal Vebs dictionary I found the usage of do up as to ruin.

The example says : a dishonest firm can easily do up its competitors.

I would like to know if this usage is idiomatic in AE or BE nowadays.

Many Thanks for your help, I treasure it.

[Barb_D]

It's not a usage I'm familiar with.

Do IN is to ruin, desroy, end.

[5jj]

I, a speaker of BrE am not familiar with it, either.

[bhaisahab]

Have a look at this link:
Quote of the day: Sally Bercow is 'done up like a kipper' | Total Politics

[emka]

Not a teacher.

I have never heard or seen „do up“ used in this way.
On the contrary: I know it is used a lot in real estate marketing for old or run-down houses, or structural ruins in some extreme cases. They are advertised as “do-ups”, i.e. properties that need doing up (renovation, repair work, modernisation).
(And if they are not total dumps and about to fall apart, they are advertised as needing “TLC”, Tender Loving Care – another marketing euphemism I find very funny.)