sex up
sex up — idiom
1. to present something as more lively or impressive than it really is, often by ad
to present something as more lively or impressive than it really is, often by adding exaggerated or invented details.
The journalist was accused of sexing up the report to boost sales.
commonly used in journalism/investigation contexts
Talia thought the trailer had sexed up the movie far beyond what it actually delivered.
The government was criticised for sexing up the intelligence dossier before the war.
Adisa refused to sex up the financial report because the numbers should speak for themselves.
文法句型
sex + NP + up
sex up + NP
用法筆記
This sense (from Cambridge) carries a distinctly colloquial, informal register and a negative connotation of exaggeration or deception — you sex up a report by embellishing facts. It is the more critical or accusatory sense. Distinguish from the phrasal verb sense 2 (ENHANCE APPEAL, from Oxford), which describes a neutral or positive act of making something genuinely more attractive or interesting without implying dishonesty.
常見錯誤
sex up — phrasal verb
- sex upbase form
- sexes up3rd person singular
- sexing up-ing form
- sexed uppast simple
1. to make someone feel a stronger desire for sexual activity or physical closeness
to make someone feel a stronger desire for sexual activity or physical closeness, often by creating a romantic or sensual atmosphere.
Piotr tried to sex up the evening with dim lights and slow music.
sex up + atmosphere or event for romantic/sexual mood
The director added candlelight and soft dialogue to sex up the mood.
Jin laughed when a perfume ad tried to sex up a bottle of rose water.
The room was already lively, so Vivek saw no reason to sex it up.
- turn off
to kill romantic or sexual mood
文法句型
sex + NP + up
sex up + NP
用法筆記
Object can be a person (sex someone up) or a situation (sex up the atmosphere). With a pronoun object, the particle must separate: sex it up, NOT *sex up it. This sense is distinct from the idiom/other PV senses because it directly involves sexual excitement, not just making something seem more appealing.
常見錯誤
2. to improve something by adding appealing features so that it becomes genuinely l
to improve something by adding appealing features so that it becomes genuinely livelier and draws more positive attention.
The team sexed up the packaging with bright colours to attract younger buyers.
sex up + packaging / design for broader appeal
Mei added photos and charts to sex up the report without losing its professional tone.
The publisher asked the author to sex up the book cover so it stands out.
Andrei sexed up his presentation by adding a short video clip.
- dumb down
to make something simpler (usually with negative connotation)
- strip down
to remove features, making simpler or more basic
文法句型
sex + NP + up
sex up + NP
用法筆記
The most common sense of 'sex up' in everyday use. Less negative than the idiom sense — it can be a neutral positive description of making something look more appealing. Object is typically a thing (product, design, presentation, campaign), not a person.