dolled up
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(all) dolled up
Nicely groomed and well-dressed, especially in comparison to one's usual appearance. I got all dolled up for my date, and then he canceled on me at the last minute. Why are you all dolled up today? Are you going out after work?
doll up
1. To groom and dress oneself or someone else nicely, especially in comparison to one's usual appearance. A noun or pronoun can be used between "doll" and "up." I got all dolled up for my date, and then he canceled on me at the last minute. Why are you dolling yourself up like that today? Are you going out after work?
2. To try to make something more appealing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "doll" and "up." You guys really need to doll up this house if you're hoping to sell it for that high a price.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*(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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.