dolled up

Idioms  

1. Also, all dolled up. Dressed or fixed up smartly and, often, ostentatiously, usually for a special occasion. For example, There's no need to get all dolled up—it's just a picnic, or They dolled up the classroom for parents' night. This expression alludes to a person or object being as attractive as a pretty doll. It is also put verbally, to doll up, as in I wanted to doll up my apartment before the guests arrived. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see gussied up.

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Example Sentences

His TikTok videos show him tending to horses in the barn, dolled up with his girlfriend at major races placing $5,000 bets and celebrating big wins.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Priscilla appears on our screens all dolled up in a ’50s-style poodle skirt and penny loafers, an ensemble that screams innocence, especially when it’s coupled with Spaeny’s awestruck gaze and soft demeanor.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2023

Her two-layer cakes get dolled up with black sesame Oreo buttercream, red miso caramel and other Asian umami flavors.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 24, 2023

Grant made sure some of their parents who were incarcerated got photos of their kids all dolled up in dresses and tuxedos.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

She was dolled up like a Christmas tree in a red velvet skirt, a red and white striped waist, and a red velvet hat trimmed in real holly.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns