Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance

Learning phrasal verbs related to appearance can help you describe how people look, dress and present themselves more naturally in English. Native speakers regularly use these expressions when talking about clothes, make-up, hairstyles, posture, body shape and personal style.

In this lesson, you’ll learn 20 useful phrasal verbs and expressions related to appearance, with clear meanings and natural examples. They are particularly useful for B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS and everyday conversation.

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Phrasal Verbs for Clothes and Dressing

Dress up

Meaning: to wear formal, elegant or special clothes

• She dressed up for the awards ceremony in a floor-length gown and elegant jewellery.
• We don’t usually dress up for family dinners unless it is a special occasion.

Dress down

Meaning: to wear clothes that are more casual than usual

• On Fridays, employees are allowed to dress down, so he swapped his suit for jeans and trainers.
• The restaurant is quite informal, so you can dress down if you prefer.

Try on

Meaning: to put on an item of clothing to see whether it fits or suits you

• She tried on three different dresses before deciding which one suited her best.
• You should always try shoes on before buying them.

Put on

Meaning: to place clothes, shoes or accessories on your body

• He put on a smart jacket before leaving for the interview.
• She put on her sunglasses and walked out into the sunshine.

Take off

Meaning: to remove clothes, shoes or accessories

• As soon as she got home, she took off her heels and changed into something more comfortable.
• Please take off your coat and make yourself at home.

Throw on

Meaning: to put on clothes quickly and without giving them much thought

• I threw on a hoodie and ran out of the house.
• She had overslept, so she simply threw on the first clothes she could find.

Do up

Meaning: to fasten a piece of clothing, a button, a zip or a shoelace

• He did up the buttons on his jacket before going outside.
• Your shoelace is undone. You should do it up before you trip over it.

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Phrasal Verbs for Grooming, Hair and Make-Up

Make yourself up

Meaning: to apply cosmetics to your face

• She spent nearly an hour making herself up before the photo shoot.
• She prefers a natural appearance and rarely makes herself up for work.

Touch up

Meaning: to make small improvements to your appearance, particularly your make-up

• She touched up her lipstick before returning to the meeting.
• I need to touch up my make-up before we take the photographs.

Let down

Meaning: to untie your hair and allow it to fall freely

• After work, she let down her hair and changed into something more relaxed.
• She usually wears her hair up, but she let it down for the party.

Cover up

Meaning: to wear clothes that hide part of your body

• He wore a long-sleeved shirt to cover up his tattoo during the interview.
• You should cover up if you are going to be outside in strong sunshine.

Phrasal Verbs for Style and Impression

Show off

Meaning: to display something proudly so that other people notice it

• He loves showing off his expensive designer trainers at parties.
• She wore a sleeveless dress to show off her new tattoo.

Stand out

Meaning: to be particularly noticeable or different from everything around you

• Her bright yellow coat made her stand out in the crowd.
• His unusual hairstyle certainly makes him stand out.

Tone down

Meaning: to make something less bright, dramatic or noticeable

• She toned down her make-up for the job interview.
• You could tone down the outfit by wearing simpler accessories.

Stand up straight

Meaning: to hold your body upright and maintain good posture

• He stood up straight to appear more confident.
• Stand up straight and keep your shoulders relaxed.

Turn up your nose at

Meaning: to show that you dislike or disapprove of something, often through your facial expression

• She turned up her nose at the idea of wearing second-hand clothes.
• He tends to turn up his nose at anything that is not made by a designer brand.

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Phrasal Verbs for Changes in Body Shape and Appearance

Fill out

Meaning: to become fuller, broader or more physically developed

• He filled out after university and began to look much stronger.
• The puppy will fill out as it grows older.

Slim down

Meaning: to become thinner or lose weight

• She slimmed down after changing her diet and exercising regularly.
• He is hoping to slim down before the summer.

Bulk up

Meaning: to gain weight and muscle, usually through strength training

• He bulked up considerably after spending several months at the gym.
• Some athletes follow a special diet when they are trying to bulk up.

Fade away

Meaning: to become less noticeable or gradually disappear

• Her summer tan slowly faded away during the autumn.
• The dark circles under his eyes faded away after he began sleeping properly.

Why These Phrasal Verbs Matter in English Exams

These expressions can be especially useful when describing photographs, people and clothing in speaking examinations.

In B2 First Speaking Part 2, for example, you may need to describe what people are wearing or how they appear.

Instead of saying:

❌ She is wearing a nice dress.

You could say:

✔ She seems to have dressed up for a special occasion.

Instead of saying:

❌ Her coat is very noticeable.

You could say:

✔ Her brightly coloured coat really makes her stand out.

Using natural phrasal verbs can help you avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

In C1 Advanced, phrasal verbs can also show lexical flexibility and help your spoken English sound more fluent and natural. However, you should always use them accurately and appropriately rather than forcing them into every answer.

Phrasal Verbs Related to Appearance: Quiz

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common phrasal verbs related to appearance?

Common phrasal verbs related to appearance include dress up, dress down, try on, put on, stand out, tone down, slim down, bulk up and show off.

Are phrasal verbs useful in English exams?

Yes. Natural and accurately used phrasal verbs can help you demonstrate a wider vocabulary and greater fluency, particularly in the speaking sections of B2 First and C1 Advanced.

Can I use phrasal verbs in formal writing?

Some phrasal verbs are suitable for formal writing, but others sound conversational or informal. In academic essays, reports and formal proposals, a one-word alternative may sometimes be more appropriate.

For example:

• put off → postpone
• find out → discover
• look into → investigate
• bring up → mention or raise

Always consider the context, register and type of writing before choosing which expression to use.

Related Lessons

• Phrasal Verbs and Their One-Word Alternatives
• How to Compare Photos in B2 First and C1 Advanced
• Download the PDF: 100 Phrasal Verbs for Everyday English
• Visit Our English-Learning Bookshop