Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

When it comes to describing how we look, what we wear, or how we present ourselves, English is full of colourful expressions—and phrasal verbs are right at the heart of it all! Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion, touching up your makeup before a night out, or standing out in a crowd, these everyday phrases help you sound more natural and fluent. Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

In this post, we’ll explore 15+ useful phrasal verbs related to appearance that will boost your vocabulary and help you speak with confidence. Each one includes a clear meaning and a longer example sentence so you can see how they’re used in real life. These are perfect for anyone preparing for exams like B2 First, C1 Advanced, IELTS, or simply looking to sound more like a native speaker.

So, let’s get ready to try on some new expressions—and don’t worry, they’ll definitely suit you!

Dress up

Meaning: to wear formal or special clothes.

• She dressed up for the gala, wearing a long, elegant gown that made everyone turn their heads as she walked in.

Dress down

Meaning: to wear more casual clothes than usual.

• On Fridays, staff are allowed to dress down, so Tom came to work in jeans and a hoodie instead of his usual suit.

Try on

Meaning: to put on clothes in order to see if they fit or look good.

• Before buying the jacket, he tried it on in the fitting room and asked the shop assistant for her opinion.

Put on

Meaning: to place clothing or accessories on your body. Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

• She quickly put on her coat and scarf before stepping outside into the cold winter air.

Take off

Meaning: to remove clothing or accessories.

• As soon as he got home, he took off his shoes and loosened his tie to relax.

Show off

Meaning: to display something proudly or to attract attention, often in a boastful way.

• He always shows off his expensive watch and designer clothes when he’s at parties.

Stand out

Meaning: to be easily noticeable, often in a positive way.

• Her bright red hair and unique style made her stand out in a crowd full of people dressed in black.

Check out our workbooks on phrasal verbs

Tone down

Meaning: to make something less bright or intense, especially in clothing or makeup.

• She decided to tone down her outfit for the job interview, choosing a plain blazer instead of something flashy.

Do up

Meaning: to fasten clothes or make oneself look neat and tidy. Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

• He did up his tie and buttoned his shirt carefully before stepping out for the wedding.

Make up

Meaning: to apply cosmetics to one’s face.

• She spent nearly an hour making up before the photo shoot, carefully applying foundation, mascara, and lipstick.

Touch up

Meaning: to improve the appearance slightly, especially with makeup or paint.

• She touched up her lipstick in the mirror before heading back into the restaurant.

Cover up

Meaning: to wear clothing that hides the body or a particular part of it.

• He wore a long-sleeved shirt to cover up the tattoo on his arm during the job interview. Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

Let down

Meaning: to allow the hair to fall loosely instead of tying it up.

• After a long day at work, she let down her hair and changed into something more comfortable.

Fill out

Meaning: to become more physically full or rounded (used when someone gains weight or becomes more shapely).

• He really filled out after university, going from a skinny teenager to a well-built young man.

Slim down

Meaning: to lose weight and become slimmer.

• She’s been exercising regularly and eating healthily, and you can really see how much she has slimmed down over the past few months.

Bulk up

Meaning: to gain muscle mass and become more muscular.

• After months at the gym, he bulked up noticeably and had to buy new clothes to fit his new physique.

Throw on

Meaning: to put on clothes quickly and without much thought. Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

• I just threw on a jumper and jeans before running out the door to catch the bus.

Stand up straight

Meaning: to maintain good posture.

• Her mother always reminded her to stand up straight, especially when she was wearing heels.

Turn up (one’s nose)

Meaning: (idiomatic) to show disdain or disapproval through facial expression or body language.

• She turned up her nose at the idea of wearing second-hand clothes, even though they were stylish and well-kept.

Fade away

Meaning: to become less visible or noticeable over time.

• His youthful looks are slowly fading away, but he still takes great care of his appearance.

Phrasal verbs related to appearance

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