dressed to kill
Definition
Adjective: - Dressed in a very stylish, attractive, or impressive manner, especially to attract attention or admiration: This phrase describes someone wearing exceptionally fashionable, elegant, or eye-catching clothes, often with the intention of making a strong impression.
Usage
This adjective phrase is used to describe a person's appearance. It implies that the person has made a special effort to look their absolute best, typically for a social event or occasion. It often carries connotations of sophistication, glamour, and intentional allure.
Examples
- She arrived at the gala dressed to kill in a stunning red evening gown.
- He was dressed to kill for his job interview, wearing a perfectly tailored suit.
- You're dressed to kill tonight! Are you going somewhere special?
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost always used predicatively (after a linking verb like or ).
- It is informal and idiomatic. The word "kill" here is hyperbolic, meaning to impress or captivate utterly, not to cause harm.
- It can sometimes imply a sense of being overdressed or trying too hard for a particular context, depending on tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Dressed to the nines: An idiom with a very similar meaning, emphasizing being dressed perfectly or extravagantly.
- Dolled up: An informal phrasal verb meaning to dress smartly or glamorously, especially for a night out.
- Gussied up: An informal North American phrase meaning to dress in a fancy or showy way.
Synonyms
- Decked out
- Spruced up
- Looking sharp
- Turned out
Related Idioms
- Dressed to impress: A closely related idiom with a slightly less intense connotation than "dressed to kill," focusing more on creating a positive impression than on overwhelming allure.
Adjective
-
dressed in fancy or formal clothing
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