1 B1 informal
To improve one's personal appearance by dressing more neatly or stylishly.
"You'll need to smarten up before the interview — that T-shirt won't do."
separable
smarten up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To improve one's appearance, behaviour, or performance to a smarter or higher standard.
In plain English
To look neater and smarter, or to start behaving better and more sensibly.
What does "smarten up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To improve one's behaviour, attitude, or performance.
"The manager told the team they needed to smarten up if they wanted to keep their jobs."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To make a place look neater, more modern, or more attractive.
"They spent the weekend smartening up the shop front with a fresh coat of paint."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make oneself smarter (more neat, more intelligent, more capable) by increasing or upgrading.
Actually means
To look neater and smarter, or to start behaving better and more sensibly.
Usage tip
Common in British English, especially in the imperative ('smarten yourself up!'). Used both for physical appearance (dressing tidily) and for attitude or behaviour. Can be used reflexively.
Words that pair with "smarten up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
appearance act attitude image outfit office
How to conjugate "smarten up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
smarten up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
smartens up
he/she/it
Past simple
smartened up
yesterday
Past participle
smartened up
have + pp
-ing form
smartening up
continuous
Hear "smarten up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "smarten up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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