to pretty up
6
4.3
- phrasal verb
- /ˈprɪti ʌp/
- Informal
:
arreglarse
- Is that any reason why you can't pretty the place up?
Examples
-
She took an hour to pretty up for the party, applying makeup and choosing a stylish outfit.
-
Before the photoshoot, he decided to pretty up his appearance with a fresh haircut and new clothes.
-
You go home and pretty up.
Fiction book (1995) -
This isn't just to pretty myself up with, Angel Eyes.
-
But it's a beauty ranch, a place where unhappy women—divorcees and widows, mainly—can go to lose weight, remove wrinkles, change their hairstyles, and pretty themselves up for the next disappointment.
Fiction book (1993) -
They spent the afternoon prettying up the garden, adding colorful flowers and decorative lights.
Synonyms
79
2.6
Put makeup on your face to change how you look
56
3.4
Make something look nicer or more attractive for a special event
26
4.1
To make a place or person look neat and smart
13
3.8
To make yourself or a place look cleaner and nicer
12
2.9
Make something look better than it really is
8
8.7
Make something or someone look fancier by adding decorations
8
7.2
To get ready by fixing your clothes, hair, or makeup carefully
7
3.9
Make yourself look attractive by dressing and doing your hair or makeup
5
8.6
To dress or decorate in a fancy way to look nicer
4
3.7
To dress in special clothes to look different or attractive
1
7.2
To dress up and make yourself look attractive for a special event
1
6.8
Make yourself or someone more stylish using clothes and makeup
1
7.2
Make a person or place look neater and nicer by cleaning and adding small things
1
5.7
Make something look nicer by adding decorations
1
2.5
Put paint on something to make it look better
1
5.0
Make something look more attractive, often only on the surface
1
4.8
Make yourself or a place look neater and more stylish
1
6.3
Make something seem more attractive than it really is
To make someone or something look stylish and attractive with makeup and clothes
To make a person or thing look fancy, often in a showy way
To put on special clothes to look nice for an event
To put on special clothes to look attractive for an event
To put on fancy clothes to look good
Make a person look neat and more attractive by dressing and grooming them carefully
To make something or yourself look neat and attractive
To make someone or something look fancier to impress people
Make something look more stylish and attractive
Antonyms
How Attractive
- Informal
1
6.8
178
2.7
- Informal
6
4.3
40
2.3
47
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to make more attractive' is directly compositional from 'pretty' (to beautify) plus the particle 'up' (indicating increase/improvement), so the overall sense is predictable. This follows a common English verb+up pattern that B1 learners who know the constituents can readily infer, with similar logic found in many other languages.
Etymology
Pretty up comes from the simple idea of pretty (meaning 'to make attractive') plus up (a word that often means 'more' or 'complete'). Imagine adding makeup, fresh flowers or new cushions to lift a look — so pretty up means 'to make oneself or something more attractive'.