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Region: General | Usage example: They arrived dressed to the nines for the gala.

Dressed to the nines

Meaning

Wearing very fashionable clothes.

Usage

Used when complimenting outfit quality.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

19th-century expression about achieving perfection.

Used in fashion commentary for over a century.

Related Idioms

Dressed to kill

Wearing elegant clothing to impress.

Dress to the nines

Dress very elegantly or formally.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.