DRESS AND IDIOMS / VESTIR Y MODISMOS

We all like to look our best and dress up in the latest fashion. Language has mirrored the idea of dressing well in several peculiar idiomatic ways:

Put on the dog Ponerse de tiros largos, como un pincel, ponerse uno guapo

There’s no need to put on the dog to go to that restaurant No es necesario ponerse de tiros largos para ir a ese restaurante

— “Put on the dog: get dressed up.” Etymonline, 2022. US.

Dressed (up) to the nines (to kill, to advantage, to the teeth) Hecho un pincel (un brazo de mar, de tiros largos, cromo), ponerse guapo, ir muy puesto

Jack se ha ido a la fiesta hecho un pincel Jack’s gone to the party dressed to the nines

— “... she says. James is much happier with her recent publicity photos, which show her dressed to kill on a leopard-skin sofa.” Portland Tribune, OR - 4 Jul 2003. US.

Palo compuesto no parece palo Dress up a stick and it does not appear to be a stick

Susana cuando se apaña está más guapa porque palo compuesto no parece palo When Susan dresses up, she looks pretty because dress up a stick and it does not appear to be a stick

— “Vístete bien, que un palo compuesto no parece palo.” Miguel de Cervantes, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, 1615. Esp.