doll up
doll up — phrasal verb
- doll upbase form
- dolls up3rd person singular
- dolling up-ing form
- dolled uppast simple
1. to dress yourself or another person in fashionable, eye-catching clothes so that
to dress yourself or another person in fashionable, eye-catching clothes so that you or they look especially beautiful or stylish, usually for a party, wedding, or other special occasion.
Shira spent two hours dolling herself up for the company's New Year party.
reflexive: doll oneself up + for [event]
The bride's mother dolled up her twin nieces in matching pink dresses for the wedding.
transitive: doll up + object for [event]
Are you planning to get all dolled up for the dinner at the Ritz?
All the guests dolled up for the awards ceremony at the city's fanciest hotel.
文法句型
doll + oneself/object + up
doll up + object
get + dolled up
用法筆記
The reflexive form ('dolled herself up') is common. The passive construction 'get dolled up' is also frequent in informal conversation and does not require an agent.
常見錯誤
2. to wear extremely elegant or expensive-looking clothes, often with noticeable je
to wear extremely elegant or expensive-looking clothes, often with noticeable jewelry, makeup, or accessories, in a way that draws attention.
Clara dolled herself up in a long velvet gown and diamond earrings.
doll oneself up in [clothing/accessories]
The actors were all dolled up in vintage suits and silk dresses for the premiere.
passive: be dolled up in [clothing]
Even the children were dolled up in tiny bow ties and satin bows.
Diego showed up dolled up like a movie star, with cufflinks and polished leather shoes.
文法句型
doll + object/oneself + up (adverb)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on the lavishness of the outfit itself rather than the specific event. The phrase 'dolled up to the nines' belongs to this sense.
3. to improve the appearance of a place or object by adding decorative items such a
to improve the appearance of a place or object by adding decorative items such as ribbons, flowers, balloons, lights, or other attractive features.
The volunteers dolled up the community hall with streamers and lanterns for the festival.
doll up + [place] with [decorations]
Amara dolled up her bicycle with a basket of silk flowers and bright handlebar streamers.
The bakery dolled up the wedding cake with tiny sugar roses and gold leaf.
Omar dolled up his apartment with cushions and wall art before his family arrived.
文法句型
doll up + object (a room, a hall, a cake, etc.)
doll up + object + with [decorations]
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense applies to objects and places rather than people. The object is typically a room, vehicle, food item, or piece of furniture.
4. to spend time making yourself look attractive by putting on nice clothes, doing
to spend time making yourself look attractive by putting on nice clothes, doing your hair, and applying makeup — often used when the focus is on the process of preparing rather than the result.
Noa spent the whole afternoon dolling up for her date at the jazz club.
doll up (intransitive) + for [event/date]
The girls were in the bathroom dolling up while the taxi waited outside.
I need at least an hour to doll up before the show starts.
Yuki got all dolled up just for a casual dinner at her aunt's house.
- primp
more specific to small grooming adjustments; slightly old-fashioned
- get ready
neutral and much broader; includes non-grooming preparation like packing
- spruce oneself up
suggests tidying rather than elaborate preparation
文法句型
get dolled up
doll up (without object)
用法筆記
This sense is always intransitive — the subject and the person being made up are the same. It emphasizes the grooming process (makeup, hair, selecting clothes) rather than the outfit itself, which distinguishes it from senses 1 and 2.