to put extra or finishing touches to
to enhance, renovate, or falsify by putting extra touches to
to touch up a photograph
to stimulate or rouse as by a tap or light blow
slang to touch or caress (someone), esp to arouse sexual feelings
First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase touch up
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a behind-the-scenes film shared by Coke, a voice-over discusses the “team of artists” who “work frame-by-frame, often pixel-by-pixel” to touch up and tweak the festive images generated by the AI.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
New photos taken during filming show some of our favourite Gavin & Stacey stars on set, with Ruth Jones, as Nessa, getting a quick touch up to her make-up while filming on Trinity Street.
From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024
He credited that in part to drills arranged by Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach to touch up certain aspects of his game and build his confidence.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2024
There will be two commercial breaks per hour running three to four minutes each, during which candidates can use the restroom or touch up makeup.
From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2023
I touch up the gray in her hair and skin as a bonus.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
