dressed to the nines
Very fancily or formally dressed; wearing very showy or splendid clothing.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Everyone at the party was dressed to the nines.”
“Since it was a formal wedding, she made sure to be dressed to the nines in her best silk gown.”
“The guests arrived at the gala dressed to the nines, their expensive jewelry sparkling under the bright lights of the grand ballroom.”
From *dressed* + *to the nines*. The construction was first recorded in the 1800s.
- 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.
- 02
cloud nine
Often in the phrase on cloud nine: a state of bliss, elation or happiness.
- 03
dress down
To scold.
- 04
dress to kill
To dress up so as to impress others (especially of the opposite sex).
- 05
dressed to kill
Dressed in a very fashionable style.
- 06
nine times out of ten
Very often, mostly, most of the time.
Last updated August 10, 2026