spit and polish


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spit and polish

Maintenance of and close attention to the cleanliness and orderliness of something. Sure, it needs some spit and polish, but it's still a reliable truck! Our manager demands spit and polish whenever we clean up the kitchen at the end of the night.
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and polish

orderliness; ceremonial precision and orderliness. I like spit and polish. It comes from being in the military. There is no such thing as too much spit and polish.
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and polish

Close attention to appearance and order, as in With a little spit and polish this house will sell very quickly. This expression originated in the military, presumably alluding to literally shining up something with the aid of a little saliva. There it also came to mean "too much attention to appearance, and not enough to more important concerns," as in The commander is so concerned with spit and polish that he overlooks the crew's morale. [Late 1800s]
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and polish

Spit and polish is the process of making a place or person very clean. There is a bit of spit and polish involved. Boots have to be clean and shining.
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and polish

extreme neatness or smartness.
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and ˈpolish

(informal) cleaning and polishing: This table will look as good as new with a bit of spit and polish.
See also: and, polish, spit

spit and polish

n. orderliness; ceremonial precision and orderliness. (Alludes to carefully polishing shoes to a high level of shine.) I like spit and polish. It comes from being in the military.
See also: and, polish, spit
References in periodicals archive ?
It doesn't take James Ellroy to unravel the mystery of why the Lakers lack the spit and polish they had last year, when they dropped only 15 games during the regular season (one fewer loss than they bring into today's matinee): They don't have ``Varnish,'' the name that team broadcasters Chick Hearn and Stu Lantz bestowed upon Fisher in appreciation of his hustle.
WHERE ART THOU, DEREK FISHER?
Given his love of spit and polish he's also quick to describe people by appearance; the neat and the physically strong garner his praise.
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On Monday morning, according to plan, we were all spit and polish.
An ounce of prevention; up in the Kaniksu, the most hazardous duty can be surviving the safety meetings
Spit And Polish looks up to getting off the mark in the Sandgate Maiden Auction Stakes following decent runs in his first two races.
Astrodome can do Sir Mark proud; in association with Pagebet
There is just one point upon - Which a con espondent considers the Home Guard could improve itself-appearance I am no adherent of the " spit and polish school," nor do I think a mar is Lss likely to be a fighter because he ib no immaculate, but it is unfortunate that mis-worn Home Guard uniform should give rise to complaint at all.
Great Coats-and Great Men
FF2 is essentially the same game with a degree of spit and polish.
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ALTERNATIVE country label Spit and Polish showcased their signings in the venue's atmospheric basement.
Mailmusic; Polished duo are really Haw-some
Their uniforms are not expected to be models of spit and polish perfection.
Voice of the Mirror: Cops are not TD's lackeys
Community health chiefs at Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust want to involve the public to see which areas of their hospitals and clinics need a bit of spit and polish.
Ideas are sought to smarten hospitals
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