Dress to the nines
Meaning
To dress to the nines means to wear very fashionable, elegant, or formal attire, often for a special occasion.
Origin
The number nine has long held a symbolic association with perfection and completion, appearing in various idioms such as a 'cat having nine lives' or the 'nine Muses' of classical mythology. The phrase 'to the nine' or 'to the nines' emerged in English, signifying the highest degree of excellence or the ultimate standard. This notion of superlative quality was eventually applied specifically to clothing, giving birth to 'dress to the nines,' meaning to dress impeccably, with meticulous attention to detail and outstanding elegance, as if every element of one's outfit had been perfected to the highest possible standard.
Examples
- She always loves an excuse to dress to the nines, especially when attending a lavish charity gala.
- For their anniversary dinner, they decided to dress to the nines and enjoy a fancy night out on the town.