ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put on the ritz

idiom
Meaning

to make a show of luxury and extravagance


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

Evokes the image of putting on extravagent clothing worthy of the luxurious Ritz Hotel in London, opened in 1906. Phrase in print by 1921.

Examples
SIMPLE

They really put on the ritz for the party.

CONTEXTUAL

She decided to put on the ritz for her anniversary dinner by booking the most expensive restaurant in town.

COMPLEX

The hosts spared no expense to put on the ritz, adorning the ballroom with gold leaf and fresh orchids for their high-society guests.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    not to put too fine a point on it

    Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.

  2. 02

    put a band-aid on a bullet wound

    To inadequately treat a serious situation.

  3. 03

    put a blanket over

    Make (something) seem less serious.

  4. 04

    put a bug in someone's ear

    To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.

  5. 05

    put a damper on

    To stop people from enjoying an activity.

  6. 06

    put a foot wrong

    To make a mistake.

  7. 07

    put a gun to someone's head

    To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.

  8. 08

    put a hat on a hat

    To do something unnecessary, to go over the top

Last updated April 17, 2026