English

edit

Etymology 1

edit

Possibly devised as a gender-neutral form of man up.

Verb

edit

boss up (third-person singular simple present bosses up, present participle bossing up, simple past and past participle bossed up)

  1. (slang, intransitive) To strive to reach one's goals through effort and determination; to start working hard.
    When life gets you down, boss up and take control.
  2. (plumbing) To modify a corner in sheet lead to avoid leaving a hole in the angle.
  3. (dated, transitive) To manage a household and its servants.

Etymology 2

edit

From Dutch pas op via Afrikaans.

Interjection

edit

boss up

  1. (South Africa, obsolete) take care; look out