spruce them up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spruce them up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean making something more attractive or improving its appearance or quality. Example: "We need to spruce them up before the presentation to make a better impression on our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I replanted and watered the damaged plants and spread mulch to spruce them up for their inspection.

The New York Times

As far as the other panels, we're so unimpressed by the names that we wish Lionel Richie would apply his songwriting talents to spruce them up.

The New York Times

As the apartments in the town house became vacant, Mr. Fares asked Mr. King to spruce them up for the next tenant.

The New York Times

You could always spruce them up with chunks of roughly chopped milk chocolate or a handful of toasted hazelnuts, but I think they're best left plain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I believe utterly in the transformative powers of fiddling with your clothes to "spruce them up," as notions nuts like to say.

The New York Times - Tech

Disney used to just rerelease their films on a decade-long cycle, ripe for capturing new generations; now they can spruce them up a little more with 3D conversion.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Sprucing them up might prove a wise investment.

The Economist

Then they make some noise about sprucing them up a bit.

Independent

He founded a company called Urban Ocean, bought up the empty, boarded-up buildings cheaply, spruced them up and started converting them into flats, loft apartments and offices.

The Economist

For years, dealers have netted tidy profits by acquiring used vehicles at auto auctions or by paying bottom dollar for trade-ins, then sprucing them up for resale.

The New York Times

Many companies favored by Mr. Robinson are subsidiaries of Western companies that are sprucing them up financially, restructuring their operations and improving profitability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efforts to revitalize something, use "spruce them up" to convey a sense of quick and relatively inexpensive improvement, often focusing on aesthetics.

Common error

Avoid using "spruce them up" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "renovate", "rehabilitate", or "enhance" for conveying a sense of improvement or refinement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spruce them up" functions as a verb expressing an action, specifically, the act of improving something's appearance or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and acceptable expression. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "spruce them up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe improving the appearance or condition of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a versatile phrase found across various sources. Predominantly used in News & Media, it conveys a sense of quick, often aesthetic, improvement. While perfectly acceptable, in formal contexts more precise vocabulary may be preferred. Remember that, while it is very common, there may be better options depending on the context. Remember to assess your writing and writing audience prior to using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

freshen them up

Implies making something look or feel newer and more vibrant.

enhance their appearance

Focuses specifically on making something look better, primarily aesthetic improvement.

improve their condition

Emphasizes a betterment of the existing state, often implying functionality.

give them a makeover

Focuses on a significant change in appearance.

refurbish them

Suggests restoring something to a better state, often implying some level of repair.

renovate them

Implies a more extensive makeover, potentially involving structural changes.

revamp them

Indicates a complete transformation or modernization.

upgrade them

Suggests improving functionality or features.

polish them

Focuses on making something shiny and refined.

make them better

A more general and less specific way of saying improving something.

FAQs

What does it mean to "spruce them up"?

To "spruce them up" means to improve the appearance or condition of something, often by cleaning, tidying, or making small improvements.

How can I use "spruce them up" in a sentence?

You might say, "We need to "freshen them up" a bit before the guests arrive" or "They decided to "give them a makeover" to attract new buyers".

What are some alternatives to "spruce them up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "renovate them", "refurbish them", or "enhance their appearance".

Is "spruce them up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "spruce them up" is widely understood, it's generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional terms.