dress up
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle up
Meanings
Put on smart or formal clothes
Why “up”? Something is made neater, better-looking, more impressive, or more appealing.
“Maya dressed up in a smart shop outfit before asking Leo for his opinion.”
“Maya and Leo dressed up for their night out at the club.”
“The guests dressed up for the awards dinner.”
“She loves any excuse to dress up.”
“Maya dressed up for dinner at the seaside restaurant near the hotel.”
Wear a costume, often imitating someone or something
Why “up”? A person, thing, signal, idea, or truth becomes present, visible, active, or known.
“The kids dressed up as pirates for Halloween.”
“Mia dressed up as a nurse for the party.”
“She dressed her dog up as a lion.”
Make something look more attractive or impressive than it is
“He dressed up the bad results to please the board.”
“The advert dressed up the basic phone as a luxury item.”
“Don't dress it up. Just tell us the truth.”
Don't confuse with
Dress up means put on smart or formal clothes. Dress down means wear less formal clothes than usual.
Test yourself
“Maya dressed up in a smart shop outfit before asking Leo for his opinion.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
dress down
A contrast learners often mix up
Wear less formal clothes than usual
blow up
Same up pattern: appearance
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
bring up
Same up pattern: appearance
Mention or raise a topic
build up
Same up pattern: making better
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
call up
Same up pattern: appearance
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
catch up
Same up pattern: appearance
Reach the same level or position as someone ahead; Get up to date with news, work or events you have missed; (of bad behaviour or neglect) start to have unavoidable consequences; Spend time talking to a friend after a period apart
clear up
Same up pattern: appearance
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
come up
Same up pattern: appearance
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “dress up”.
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