dandy up
C1 informal separable both
In simple words
To make yourself or something look very fancy and showy, like a gentleman from old times.
Literal meaning: To make something dandy (fine/excellent) and upward/better.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To dress oneself in a flamboyant, showy, or overly elegant manner.
"He dandied himself up in a velvet jacket and gold cufflinks for the vintage party."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To decorate or embellish a space or object in a showy or ornate way.
"They dandied up the old café with velvet curtains and brass fixtures."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Old-fashioned and now rarely used outside of humorous or ironic contexts. Derives from 'dandy', a 19th-century term for a man obsessed with elegant appearance. May appear in period literature or affectionate mockery.
Commonly used with
outfit room appearance hair uniform
Forms
Base
dandy up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dandies up
he/she/it
Past simple
dandied up
yesterday
Past participle
dandied up
have + pp
-ing form
dandying up
continuous
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