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Beauty Idioms

15 Beauty Idioms

Beauty Idioms and What They Mean

Beauty idioms use words about looks, style, and charm to describe people, feelings, and situations. These idioms don’t always mean just physical beauty—they can talk about personality, effort, or first impressions. Here are 15 beauty idioms, what they mean, and how to use them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Different people think different things are beautiful.

He loves that painting, but I don’t—it’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Some people like simple clothes, others prefer colorful ones—beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As pretty as a picture

Very beautiful or nice to look at.

She looked as pretty as a picture in her wedding dress.
The small village is as pretty as a picture with all the flowers and trees.

Dressed to kill

Wearing clothes that look very stylish or attractive.

She came to the party dressed to kill in a red dress.
He was dressed to kill for the job interview.

Look like a million dollars

To look very good, healthy, or rich.

After the spa, she looked like a million dollars.
You’re glowing! You look like a million dollars.

Not a hair out of place

To look very neat and perfect.

She was ready for the photo—not a hair out of place.
Even after dancing, his suit was perfect and not a hair out of place.

Put your best face forward

To show your best self, especially when meeting others.

At the interview, he tried to put his best face forward.
Even if you’re tired, put your best face forward and smile.

A sight for sore eyes

Someone or something that makes you happy to see.

After a long trip, her dog was a sight for sore eyes.
That clean room is a sight for sore eyes!

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Used in a fun way when talking about checking your looks.

She said, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, do I look okay today?”
I always do a quick mirror, mirror on the wall check before going out.

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Like a rose

Looking fresh, healthy, or lovely.

After the walk, she looked like a rose.
You woke up like a rose this morning!

Plain Jane

Someone who is not very attractive or stylish.

She was called a Plain Jane, but she had a great personality.
He prefers someone interesting, even if she’s a Plain Jane.

Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

To try to make something plain or ugly into something fancy.

They tried to fix the old car, but you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
That house was so messy—no way to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!

All dolled up

Wearing makeup and pretty clothes.

She got all dolled up for the dance.
He was surprised to see her all dolled up in a fancy dress.

Drop-dead gorgeous

Very, very beautiful.

The movie star looked drop-dead gorgeous on the red carpet.
Wow, she’s drop-dead gorgeous in that dress.

Look good on paper

Someone or something that seems great when described, but may not be in real life.

His resume looked good on paper, but he wasn’t the best fit.
That house looked good on paper, but it had problems inside.

Beauty is only skin deep

A nice appearance is not as important as a good heart.

She’s beautiful, but not kind—beauty is only skin deep.
I care more about personality because beauty is only skin deep.

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