English Reference

Phrasal verb

spruce up

Definition

phrasal verb. to make a person or place look cleaner, tidier, or more attractive.

phrasal verb. to improve the appearance of a person or thing through cleaning, decorating, or grooming. Often implies a quick or superficial enhancement rather than a structural overhaul.

Examples

“We should spruce up the living room before the guests arrive.”

“She decided to spruce up her old bike with a fresh coat of bright blue paint.”

“The city council launched an initiative to spruce up the historic district ahead of the international summit, focusing primarily on facade restoration and landscaping.”

Examples

simple

“We should spruce up the living room before the guests arrive.”

contextual

“She decided to spruce up her old bike with a fresh coat of bright blue paint.”

complex

“The city council launched an initiative to spruce up the historic district ahead of the international summit, focusing primarily on facade restoration and landscaping.”

Usage

often used with rooms, gardens, or personal appearance; can be used with or without a reflexive pronoun.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'renovate' or 'remodel' to show that 'spruce up' is usually about aesthetics and tidiness rather than major construction.

Pitfall

I need to spruce my office up.

I need to spruce up my office.

While 'spruce up' is technically separable, it is much more common and natural to keep the verb and particle together before the object.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

spruce + up + object

Synonyms

tidy upfreshen upsmarten updecorate

Antonyms

neglectmess updirty

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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