Pronunciation: [bˈʊʃt ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The word "bushed up" is spelled in a way that reflects its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /bʊʃt ʌp/. The first syllable "bush" is spelled as it sounds, with the "b" and "sh" sounds combined to form a unique sound. The second part "ed up" is pronounced as one syllable with the "t" sound at the end dropped. The overall pronunciation of the word can be described as "booshed up" or "busht up."
"Bushed up" is a slang phrase commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone who appears or feels extremely tired, exhausted, or worn out. It can also refer to the act of making oneself presentable or putting extra effort into one's appearance, often with the intention of looking physically attractive or presentable.
When someone is described as "bushed up," it typically implies a state of extreme fatigue or exhaustion as if the person has been through a physically or mentally demanding experience. It suggests that the person is completely worn out or depleted of energy, possibly due to a long day of work, physical exertion, or lack of sleep. It can also be used to express feeling drained or overwhelmed by a particular situation.
On the other hand, "bushing up" can also involve putting great effort into one's appearance or making oneself look more presentable. This can involve dressing up, grooming oneself, applying makeup, or taking extra care with personal hygiene. It can be done for a special occasion, a social gathering, or simply to feel more confident and attractive. In this sense, "bushing up" often denotes taking extra steps to improve one's physical appearance beyond the usual routine. The phrase is commonly used colloquially and is not typically found in formal language or dictionaries.
The phrase "bushed up" is not a term with a widely recognized established etymology. However, it may be helpful to analyze the possible origins of the two constituent words: "bushed" and "up".
"Bushed" is an adjective that can have several meanings. One of its primary definitions relates to being tired, exhausted, or fatigued, often resulting from physical exertion or mental strain. This sense of being "bushed" derives from the noun "bush", which originally referred to a wild or uninhabited place. In the early 1800s, the phrase "bushed" began to be used colloquially to describe the feeling of getting lost or disoriented in the wilderness, leading to fatigue and exhaustion.
The preposition "up" is a versatile particle that can serve different grammatical functions.
