trick up
Definition
Verb (transitive, phrasal verb): - To dress in a special, elaborate, or showy manner, often for a particular occasion or to create a specific impression. It implies adorning or decorating oneself or something else to enhance appearance, typically beyond ordinary attire or decoration.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used with an object (trick something/someone up). It often carries a sense of making something look more attractive, fancy, or ornate than usual. It can be used for people dressing up or for decorating objects or spaces.
Examples
- Verb:
- She decided to trick up her old dress with some vintage jewelry for the party.
- The children tricked themselves up as pirates for the school play.
- They tricked up the conference room with banners and flowers for the ceremony.
Advanced Usage
- The phrasal verb is separable: "trick something up" or "trick up something." The pronoun always goes in the middle: "trick it up."
- It can sometimes have a slightly informal or playful connotation, suggesting an effort to look especially nice or decorative.
Variants and Related Words
- Trick out (phrasal verb): Very similar in meaning to "trick up," often used interchangeably, especially when referring to decorating objects (e.g., cars, rooms). "He tricked out his car with new rims and a sound system."
- Dress up (phrasal verb): A more common and general synonym for putting on special clothes. "We need to dress up for the wedding."
- Prink (verb): To dress or adorn oneself carefully.
- Bedizen (verb): To dress or adorn in a showy or gaudy manner.
Synonyms
- Adorn
- Deck out
- Dress up
- Embellish
- Fancy up
- Primp
- Gussy up (informal)
Antonyms
- Dress down
- Simplify
- Strip
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Doll up (informal): To make oneself look very attractive with stylish clothes and makeup.
- Spruce up: To make someone or something neat, smart, or clean. (Note: "Spruce up" is more about general tidying and improvement, not specifically elaborate decoration.)
Related Idioms
- Put on one's Sunday best: To wear one's finest clothes.
- Dressed to the nines: Dressed in an extremely fashionable or elaborate way.
Verb
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put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive
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She never dresses up, even when she goes to the opera
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The young girls were all fancied up for the party
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