dressed to the nines
Wearing one's finest
Dressed to the nines means wearing one's finest, most elegant clothing—dressed as well as possible for an occasion.
The phrase suggests careful attention to appearance, often for formal events: She arrived at the gala dressed to the nines.
The origin of "nines" as a measure of perfection is uncertain but the meaning is clear: impeccably attired.
- dolled upElaborately dressed or adorned
- spruced upMade more attractive
- spiffed upMade more presentable
- resplendentImpressively beautiful, richly shining
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
gussied up · arrayed · fashionable · smart · Sunday best · best bib and tucker · bespoke · elegant · gala · evening wear · sartorial · tuxedo · immaculate · opulent · tailored · haute couture · jewelry · cufflinks
- appearance idiomsall dolled up, dolled up, done up, easy on the eyes, pretty as a picture
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, wear the pants, caught with pants down, at the drop of a hat, old hat
- dressed updolled up, decked out, spruced up, gussied up, glammed up
- Number Phrasesone and only, two cents, three strikes, four corners, five senses
- Old Idiomsbeyond the pale, hue and cry, scot-free, knight in shining armor, eat humble pie
- ninesninth, cat lives, nonagon, novena, Ennead
dressed to the ninesdressed down
Reprimanded or wore casual
scruffy · disheveled · unkempt · frumpy · dowdy
dressed to the ninesrolled out of bed
looking like something the cat dragged in · thrown together · let oneself go · couldn't care less · half-dressed
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