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dolled up

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*(all) dolled up

Fig. dressed up and well-groomed. (Usually used of females. *Typically: be ~; get ~.) I have to get all dolled up for the dance tonight.

See also: doll, up

dolled up

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.

See also: doll, up