spit and polish
Obsessive surface gleam
Spit and polish is meticulous attention to cleanliness and appearance, especially in military contexts where soldiers shine boots and brass to inspection-ready perfection.
The phrase extends to any excessive focus on surface presentation over substance: The new manager brought spit and polish but no real ideas.
Sometimes hyphenated as an adjective: a spit-and-polish operation.
- orderlinessMethodical arrangement of things
- cleanlinessAbsence of dirt
- ship shapeNeat and well-organized
- neatnessState of being tidy
- regimentationStrict systematic control
boot camp · armed forces · military · military bearing · shine · rigorousness · groom · buff · white gloves · dress uniform · brass buttons · discipline · standing at attention · parade rest · scrub · fastidiousness · punctilio · meticulousness
- appearance idiomsall dolled up, dolled up, done up, dressed to kill, dressed to the nines
spit and polishsloppiness
Lack of neatness
slovenliness · neglect · untidiness · shabbiness · scruffiness
spit and polishslackness
Absence of tautness
laxity · unmilitary · undisciplined · at ease · combat wear
spit and polishneglect
Failure to provide care
carelessness · sloppiness · lick and a promise · quick once-over · cutting corners
spit, polish, spits, spitting, spitter, polished, polishes, polishing, polisher