to spiff up
1
7.2
- phrasal verb
- /spɪf ʌp/
- Informal
:
mejorar
- To prepare for the party, we all worked together to spiff up the backyard with lights and decorations.
- needs spiffing up
Examples
-
During this closure, we will be making repairs and "spiffing" up the place.
Blog text (5) -
Say, Tod, while we're on, why don't you spiff up those bowls a bit?
-
She decided to spiff up her living room with new curtains and a fresh coat of paint.
-
Before the big presentation, he needed to spiff up his outfit to make a good impression.
Synonyms
226
1.9
To make something look nicer by adding paint, ornaments, or other items
161
1.6
Make a place or things tidy and in order
86
2.0
To wash and make yourself look neat
56
3.4
Make something look nicer or more attractive for a special event
48
2.6
Tidy a bed or room so it looks neat
42
1.0
To make a place neat by putting things away
32
1.5
Make a room or desk neat by putting things in their right place
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
3.2
To make a place tidy and organized
9
3.2
To make a place or person more attractive by adding decorations like paint
8
3.8
Make small changes to something to improve how it looks
8
8.7
Make something or someone look fancier by adding decorations
8
2.7
Make a room neat by putting things away
7
3.9
Make yourself look attractive by dressing and doing your hair or makeup
6
4.3
Make people and places look nicer by dressing up, adding decorations, or using makeup
5
8.6
To dress or decorate in a fancy way to look nicer
4
3.0
Make a room look cleaner and nicer with small changes
3
8.0
To make something look neater and more attractive with small changes
3
3.9
To make someone or something look neater and more attractive
1
7.2
To dress up and make yourself look attractive for a special event
1
3.7
To make something tidy by arranging things in order
1
5.7
Make something look nicer by adding decorations
1
6.8
Make yourself or someone more stylish using clothes and makeup
1
5.0
Make something look more attractive, often only on the surface
1
5.8
To make something better in how it works or how it looks
1
4.8
Make yourself or a place look neater and more stylish
Make a person look neat and more attractive by dressing and grooming them carefully
To make a place or yourself neat and look nicer
To make something or yourself look neat and attractive
To put on fancy clothes to look good
Make something look more attractive by adding decorations
Make something look more stylish and attractive
To make someone or something look fancier to impress people
To make something old look new by fixing or cleaning it
To dress neatly and formally for an event
Antonyms
How Neat
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'spiff' already carries the meaning 'to make something look neater or smarter,' and the particle 'up' adds a clear intensifying/completive sense of improvement. The combined meaning is directly compositional and predictable from the constituents, so a learner who knows both words would understand the phrasal verb.
Etymology
The phrasal verb spiff up comes from the old word spiff, which meant to make someone look smart by polishing clothes or shoes. One popular story says shopkeepers would 'spiff' a customer into a shiny, neat shape, so today spiff up means 'to make something look neater or more attractive'.