- tart something up
- improve the appearance of something, especially in a superficial way.→ tart
English new terms dictionary. 2014.
tart something up
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tart something up — ˌtart sthˈup derived (informal) to decorate or improve the appearance of sth, often in a way that other people do not think is attractive Main entry: ↑tartderived … Useful english dictionary
tart — {{11}}tart (adj.) having a sharp taste, late 14c., perhaps from O.E. teart painful, sharp, severe (in ref. to punishment, pain, suffering), of unknown origin; possibly related to the root of teran to tear. Fig. use, with ref. to words, speech,… … Etymology dictionary
tart — tart1 noun an open pastry case containing a sweet or savoury filling. Derivatives tartlet noun Origin ME: from OFr. tarte or med. L. tarta, of unknown origin. tart2 informal noun derogatory a prostitute or promiscuous woman. verb (tart oneself… … English new terms dictionary
tart — tart1 [ tart ] noun count 1. ) a PIE that has no top and is filled with fruit or something sweet: an apple/lemon tart 2. ) OFFENSIVE an offensive word for a woman who dresses or behaves as if she wants to attract men and have sex a ) INFORMAL an… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
tart — tart1 [ta:t US ta:rt] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: tarte;] [Sense: 2 3; Origin: probably partly from sweetheart] 1.) [U and C] a ↑pie without a top on it, containing something sweet apple/treacle/jam etc tart 2.) informal … Dictionary of contemporary English
tart — 1 noun 1 (C, U) a pie (1) without a top on it, containing something sweet 2 (C) informal a woman whose appearance or behaviour makes you think that she is too willing to have sex 3 (C) slang a prostitute 2 adjective 1 food that is tart has a… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
tart — [[t]tɑ͟ː(r)t[/t]] tarts, tarting, tarted 1) N VAR A tart is a shallow pastry case with a filling of food, especially sweet food. ...jam tarts. ...a slice of home made tart. 2) ADJ GRADED If something such as fruit is tart, it has a sharp taste.… … English dictionary
tart up — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms tart up : present tense I/you/we/they tart up he/she/it tarts up present participle tarting up past tense tarted up past participle tarted up British informal 1) a) to decorate something in order to improve… … English dictionary
tart up — verb 1. decorate in a cheap and flashy way the small town bar was all tarted up • Hypernyms: ↑decorate, ↑adorn, ↑grace, ↑ornament, ↑embellish, ↑beautify • Verb Frames … Useful english dictionary
tart shop — /ˈtat ʃɒp/ (say taht shop) Colloquial –noun 1. political office, especially viewed as something to be exploited. –phrase 2. occupy the tart shop, to hold office; occupy a position of power …
