to spruce up

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To dress oneself sprucely. In Sussex (England) they say, to sprug up, in the same sense.


To-night we're goin' to a quiltin' at Uncle Josh's. The Deacon's eldest daughter is sprucin' up for it.--Maj. Downing, Letters, p. 27.

"What! would you not have the child exhilarate and spruce up a little?["] cried the father.--Margaret, p. 28.

Related Words