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smartens up
smart·en
/
ˈsmɑr
tn
/
Show Spelled
[
smahr
-tn
]
Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.
to make more trim or spruce; improve in appearance (usually followed by
up
):
Try to smarten up your outfit.
2.
to make brisker, as a pace.
3.
to sharpen the judgment or broaden the experience of; educate (usually followed by
up
):
Someone has to smarten him up about dealing with people.
Verb phrases
4.
smarten up,
a.
to groom oneself:
to smarten up before dinner.
b.
to become aware of one's mistakes, shortcomings, etc., and make efforts to correct them:
If you don't smarten up, you're going to be out of a
job
.
Origin:
1805–15;
smart
+
-en
1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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smartens up
Relevant Questions
What Is Smarten Up?
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What Is Smarten Up?
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What Is Smart·en?
00:10
Smartens up
is always a great word to know.
So is
lollapalooza
. Does it mean:
So is
bezoar
. Does it mean:
So is
ninnyhammer
. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
smarten
(ˈsmɑːt
ə
n)
—
vb
1.
(
intr
) to make oneself neater
2.
(
tr
) to make quicker or livelier
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
smarten
"to make smart, to spruce up, to improve appearance," 1815 (in "Emma"), from
smart
(adj.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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