ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dressed to the nines

idiom
Meaning

Very fancily or formally dressed; wearing very showy or splendid clothing.


Origin

From dressed + to the nines; first recorded in the 1800s.

Examples
SIMPLE

Everyone at the party was dressed to the nines.

CONTEXTUAL

Since it was a formal wedding, she made sure to be dressed to the nines in her best silk gown.

COMPLEX

The guests arrived at the gala dressed to the nines, their expensive jewelry sparkling under the bright lights of the grand ballroom.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    dressed to kill

    Dressed in a very fashionable style.

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