skin up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
InfrequentInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “skin up” mean?
To roll a cannabis cigarette by preparing the tobacco, cannabis, and rolling paper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To roll a cannabis cigarette by preparing the tobacco, cannabis, and rolling paper.
The process of preparing materials and constructing a hand-rolled cigarette, specifically one containing cannabis. It implies a deliberate, often skilled, manual process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties, but 'skin' as a noun for rolling paper is slightly more established in UK slang. The verb phrase is common in both.
Connotations
Carries the same illicit or countercultural connotations in both regions. It is a term of insider knowledge within drug-using subcultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in mainstream contexts, but common within specific subcultures in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “skin up” in a Sentence
[Subject] skins up.[Subject] skins up [Object (a joint/spliff)].[Subject] skins up [Object] with [Material].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skin up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Do you want to skin up while I put the music on?
- He's an expert at skinning up even in the wind.
American English
- She skinned up a quick joint before the movie.
- We found a spot to skin up away from the crowd.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Only in sociological or cultural studies of drug use.
Everyday
Only in very informal contexts among certain social groups.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skin up”
- Using it for rolling a normal cigarette (e.g., 'I skinned up a tobacco cigarette' - incorrect).
- Using it without the particle 'up' (e.g., 'Let's skin a joint' - less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is specific to cannabis cigarettes. For tobacco, you would say 'roll a cigarette' or 'roll a fag' (UK informal).
It is highly informal slang and should not be used in formal, professional, or academic writing (except when analysing the slang itself).
It refers to the thin rolling paper (the 'skin' that wraps the contents).
It is not offensive in itself, but it refers to illegal activity in many places, so its use carries associated social and legal stigmas.
To roll a cannabis cigarette by preparing the tobacco, cannabis, and rolling paper.
Skin up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌskɪn ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌskɪn ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Skin up and shut up. (slang for 'stop talking and let's smoke')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of peeling the 'skin' (paper) off a packet to 'wrap up' the contents.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREPARING FOOD IS ROLLING A JOINT (e.g., 'I'll just skin us up something').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely hear 'skin up'?