The expression "smartened up" means to improve someone's appearance or behavior. It's spelled with two syllables: "smar-tend" and "up" and pronounced /ˈsmɑːrtənd ʌp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "smar" is pronounced with a long "a" and a soft "r". The second syllable "tend" rhymes with "end" and the final syllable "up" is pronounced with a short "u" sound. This phrase is commonly used in informal conversations and is a great way to describe someone who has improved their style or behavior.
Smartened up is a phrasal verb that is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone making an effort to improve their appearance, behavior, or performance to appear more stylish, competent, or refined. It generally refers to a conscious decision and action taken by an individual to enhance their overall presentation.
The term 'smartened up' primarily pertains to physical appearance, encompassing elements such as clothing, grooming, and posture. When individuals smarten up, they make an intentional effort to enhance their outward appearance by dressing in more fashionable or professional attire, tidying their hair and makeup, and adopting a more confident posture. By doing so, they aim to project a more polished and put-together image.
However, smartening up does not solely refer to appearance; it can also denote improving one's demeanor, behavior, or approach to a particular task. For instance, it can be used to describe someone who has become more diligent, punctual, or focused in their work or studies. In these cases, smartening up implies an effort to become more efficient, dedicated, or effective.
Overall, 'smartened up' is a versatile phrase with various applications, as it can be used to describe someone enhancing their appearance, behavior, or performance. It implies a conscious decision and effort made by an individual to appear more stylish, refined, or competent in a particular context.
The word "smartened up" is a phrasal verb formed by combining the verb "smarten" with the preposition "up".
The verb "smarten" has its origins in Middle English, where it was spelled as "smerten" and meant "to feel or cause pain". It is derived from the Old English word "smeortan", which also meant "to feel pain".
Over time, the meaning of "smarten" expanded, and it came to refer to the idea of becoming more fashionable, neat, or tidy in appearance. The addition of the preposition "up" intensifies the action, conveying the idea of improving or enhancing oneself or one's appearance.
Thus, the etymology of "smartened up" can be traced back to Old English and the evolution of the verb "smarten" over the centuries.