gussied up

Idioms and Phrases

Also, all gussied up . Dressed up, as in Dana loves to get all gussied up and go to a fine restaurant . The origin of this expression is not clear, though possibly it relates to the earlier use of the noun gussie (derived from a proper name) for an effeminate man. [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

The film itself is a fairly slight story, gussied up in period costuming and hair.

From Los Angeles Times

He was Fletcher Christian, an officer in His Majesty’s 18th century navy, gussied up in gold braid and buttons for the role, and he couldn’t have been more eager to shed the suit and the buttoned-up culture it stood for.

From Los Angeles Times

He was Fletcher Christian, an officer in His Majesty’s 18th century navy, gussied up in gold braid and buttons for the role, and he couldn’t have been more eager to shed the suit and the buttoned-up culture it stood for.

From Los Angeles Times

The performance space is a rehearsal studio that hasn’t been gussied up much, and the performers make full use of it.

From New York Times

From tailgating to hosting a gussied up to-do, jambalaya will have everyone circling back for more.

From Salon

Related Words

• brilliant
• flashy
• garish
• jazzy
• ostentatious
• showy
• snazzy
• splashy