gussy up

IPA/ɡˈʌsi ˈʌp/
IPA/ɡˈʌsi ˈʌp/

gussy up — phrasal verb

  • gussy upbase form
  • gussies up3rd person singular
  • gussying up-ing form
  • gussied uppast simple

1. to improve the appearance of a person, object, or space by putting on stylish cl

1.片語動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to improve the appearance of a person, object, or space by putting on stylish clothes or adding decorative touches, often in a playful way that feels slightly showy or excessive

例句

Tariq got all gussied up in a smart suit and polished shoes for the party.

get all gussied up — passive/reflexive pattern

The agent gussied up the empty flat with plants and bright cushions.

gussy up + noun phrase (a room, a space)

同義詞
  • dress up

    more neutral in register and broader in application; does not imply excess

  • doll up

    equally informal but typically limited to women and girls; suggests feminine styling

  • glam up

    modern slang focused on glamorous, Hollywood-style appearance

  • smarten up

    more common in British English; implies tidying and neatening rather than showy decoration

反義詞
  • dress down

    to wear casual or informal clothes, the opposite of dressing up formally

文法句型

get + gussied up

gussy + noun/pronoun + up

gussy up + noun phrase

用法筆記

Most naturally used in the reflexive pattern 'get (all) gussied up' for people, or transitively for objects and spaces. The simple active form 'gussy up' without 'get' or a reflexive pronoun is less common in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌She gussied up for the date.
✅She got gussied up for the date.
💡The 'get + gussied up' pattern sounds much more natural in informal English than the bare active form.