slick up
B2 informal separable both
In simple words
Make yourself or something look very neat, shiny, and dressed-up.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To make oneself look very neat, well-groomed, and dressed up, often for a special occasion.
"He slicked himself up for the job interview — new tie, polished shoes, hair gelled back."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To clean or tidy up a place to make it look more polished or presentable.
"They slicked up the storefront before the grand reopening."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly used in American English, especially in informal or rural Southern dialect. Can have a slightly humorous or ironic tone, suggesting someone is trying too hard to look impressive. Can be used reflexively ('slicked himself up') or applied to spaces and objects.
Commonly used with
appearance hair outfit himself herself place
Forms
Base
slick up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slicks up
he/she/it
Past simple
slicked up
yesterday
Past participle
slicked up
have + pp
-ing form
slicking up
continuous
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