0
MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Sex something up

Hi,

(1) Is this phrasal verb common enough in modern English?
(2) What is the origin of this phrasal verb?
Looks like its meaning is absolutely "gender-irrelevant" (despite the presense of this confusing word 'sex' Emotion: stick out tongue)

mus-te
  

Top answer

*** Up is a phrasal verb. To *** something up means to make it more interesting and exciting. To make it ' cooler ', to exaggerate, to overstate

— Audray

  • *** Up is a phrasal verb.
  • To *** something up means to make it more interesting and exciting.
  • To make it ' cooler ', to exaggerate, to overstate
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
*** Up is a phrasal verb. To *** something up means to make it more interesting and exciting. To make it ' cooler ', to exaggerate, to overstate
0
0
I think "to *** something up" probably comes from "to TART something up", which means to make it look more appealing than it already is. The analogy is with prostitutes (tarts) or women who want to attract attractive men, who wear a lot of makeup and **** clothing to make themselves (supposedly) more attractive, even though they may be a bit old, or a bit ugly, or a bit saggy, or whatever. It basi
0
0
KrisBlueNZ,

Very interesting comments! Many thanks!
0

Related Questions