wear smart or special clothes
You don’t need to dress up for the barbecue; jeans are fine.
dress up — 3 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb3 meanings
dress upsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
make something look more attractive
She dressed up the salad with some fresh herbs and colorful vegetables.
exaggerate facts
The company tried to dress up its financial results to make the quarter look more successful than it actually was.
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Meanings in detail
1. wear smart or special clothes
B1neutralboth
To put on clothes that are more formal or nicer than usual, often for a special occasion.
You don’t need to dress up for the barbecue; jeans are fine.
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Sign in to unlock2. make something look more attractive
B2neutralboth
To make something look nicer or more interesting, often by adding decorations or extra details.
She dressed up the salad with some fresh herbs and colorful vegetables.
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Sign in to unlock3. exaggerate facts
C1neutralboth
To make something, especially information or a situation, seem more impressive, important, or attractive than it really is, often by exaggerating or presenting it in a misleadingly positive way.
The company tried to dress up its financial results to make the quarter look more successful than it actually was.
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