touch-up

[ tuhch-uhp ]

noun

1. an act or instance of touching up:

   Her makeup needed a touch-up.

touch up

verb

1. to put extra or finishing touches to
2. to enhance, renovate, or falsify by putting extra touches to

   to touch up a photograph

3. to stimulate or rouse as by a tap or light blow
4. slang.
   to touch or caress (someone), esp to arouse sexual feelings

noun

1. a renovation or retouching, as of a painting

Word History and Origins

Origin of touch-up¹

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase touch up

Idioms and Phrases

Make minor changes or improvements, as in This wall needs some touching up but not complete repainting . [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

Very carefully and cleverly she began to whiten her face, to touch up her eyes and her narrow, definite eyebrows.

From Project Gutenberg

With a similar snapper did Mr. Fogg touch up each one of his stories of success.

From Project Gutenberg

Lady Archibald asked him if he was going to touch up her portrait at the last sitting.

From Project Gutenberg

Shakspeare might surely be allowed to touch up scenes, of which the mass might be written by Fletcher.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm going to have to touch up the tresses pretty soon or I won't be a redhead any more.

From Project Gutenberg