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pretty up

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To make something look nicer by decorating it or adding nice things.

Literal meaning: 'Pretty' used as a verb + 'up' to indicate enhancement — 'up' intensifies the transformation.

Meanings

1 B2 informal

To make a place or person look more attractive through decoration or grooming.

"She prettied up the living room with some fresh flowers and new cushions before her guests arrived."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To present data, reports, or facts in a more favourable light, often concealing unpleasant truths.

"The consultants were accused of prettying up the financial figures to attract investors."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Informal and slightly light-hearted. Can be used for places (pretty up a room), appearances (pretty yourself up), or metaphorically for making data or statistics look more favourable. The metaphorical use (prettying up figures or reports) often carries a negative implication of superficiality or deception.

Commonly used with

room garden yourself data figures report spreadsheet

Forms

Base
pretty up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pretties up
he/she/it
Past simple
prettied up
yesterday
Past participle
prettied up
have + pp
-ing form
prettying up
continuous

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Synonyms

spruce up smarten up tart up decorate embellish beautify

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