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

By buying the fixtures that featured in the programme, the family plan to keep it as fans remember it, to keep its character, and have gathered all of the wall's paint codes for when they need a touch-up in future.

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Hovering nearby is an entourage of about half a dozen people, including a makeup artist who’s primed to make Aguilar’s next touch-up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She tried not to over-process her hair when she had a relaxer, and would sometimes wait six weeks or two months before getting a touch-up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While on the set of “Baby Boy,” Henson said she was embarrassed for the hairstylist to see her roots because she hadn’t had a touch-up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At another point, a makeup artist gives him a touch-up because a fall has broken bones in his face.

Read more on New York Times