to look like a million dollars
2
6.7
- idiom
- Informal
:
verse espectacular
- After her makeover, she really looks like a million dollars.
Examples
-
You look like a million dollars in that dress.
-
You look like a million dollars.
-
In fact, this is probably the least expensive thing that you can do to look like a million dollars.
Blog text (7) -
I don't care what you say, she looks like a million dollars.
-
She changed her hair and stuff, but she looked like a million dollars.
-
Mrs. Gentry, you look like a million dollars.
-
"He looks like a million dollars," said Uncle Solomon.
Fiction book (1998) -
You're in great shape, and you look like a million dollars," and she saw that wide smile, white teeth, tanned face.
Fiction book (1990) -
No matter what she wears, she always manages to look like a million dollars.
Synonyms
11
5.7
To be well dressed and neat
Antonyms
How Impressive
Surface Forms
Morphology
look + like + a + million + dollar
The phrase combines 'look' (appear) + 'like' (similar to) with the hyperbolic value term 'a million dollars', so a learner who knows the words can plausibly infer it means 'appear very valuable/attractive'. However, the use of monetary value as a conventionalized metaphor for attractiveness is idiomatic and relies on cultural knowledge of hyperbole rather than purely literal composition, so the connection is not fully predictable.
Etymology
The idiom look like a million dollars comes from the image of someone dressed very well and looking rich, as if they were worth a million dollars. So, it means 'to appear extremely attractive, stylish, or impressive'.