gussy up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive or intransitive, informal):
- To dress in a showy, elaborate, or fancy manner; to make something or someone look more attractive or impressive, often by adding decorative elements.
Usage
- This is an informal, chiefly North American phrasal verb. It is often used to describe the act of putting on special clothes or decorating something for a particular occasion to make it look more appealing.
- It can be used with an object ("gussy something up") or reflexively ("gussy oneself up"). When used without a direct object, it is understood that the subject is dressing themselves up.
Examples
- Transitive use (with an object):
- She decided to gussy up her old dress with a new belt and some jewelry.
- They gussied up the backyard with lanterns and flowers for the barbecue.
- Intransitive/Reflexive use:
- You should gussy up a bit for the dinner party tonight.
- He spent an hour gussying himself up before the date.
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a playful or slightly humorous tone, implying an effort to look one's best or to make something look fancier than it normally is.
- It can be applied to people, places, or objects.
Variants and Related Words
- Doll up (verb, informal): A very close synonym, meaning to dress smartly or glamorously.
- Tart up (verb, informal, chiefly British): To make something look more attractive in a showy or tasteless way; can have a negative connotation.
- Spruce up (verb): A more neutral synonym meaning to make neat, smart, or clean. It can apply to appearance or spaces.
Synonyms
- Dress up
- Deck out
- Preen
- Primp
- Adorn
- Embellish
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Dress up: The most common and neutral equivalent. "Gussy up" is a more colorful, informal variant.
- The children love to dress up in costumes.
Related Idioms
- Put on one's Sunday best: To wear one's finest clothes.
- They put on their Sunday best for the wedding.
- Dressed to the nines: Dressed very elaborately or fashionably.
- She was dressed to the nines for the awards ceremony.
Verb
- put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive
- She never dresses up, even when she goes to the opera
- The young girls were all fancied up for the party