Definition: "Civilise" (or "civilize" in American English) is a verb that means to improve or educate someone or something from a less advanced or "barbaric" state to a more advanced and cultured state. It can also mean to teach someone to behave in a more refined or polite manner.
In more sophisticated contexts, "civilise" can refer to the process of refining cultural tastes or behaviors. For example: - The artist’s work helped to civilise the public’s understanding of contemporary art.
While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "civilise," you can use related phrases: - "Bring someone up to speed": This means to inform someone about the latest developments, which can be seen as a form of civilising in terms of knowledge. - "Polish up": This means to improve someone's manners or skills.
To "civilise" someone is to help them become more cultured or refined, whether that's through education, improved behavior, or developing tastes.