The Village Idiom

put on frills

The idiom "put on frills" means to add unnecessary or excessive decorative details or embellishments to something, typically to make it more attractive or impressive.

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In a sentence

  • She always puts on frills for special occasions.
  • He decided to put on frills and dress up for the party.
  • Instead of a simple presentation, she put on frills to make it more entertaining.

Where it comes from and how it is used

When someone uses the idiom "put on airs," they are suggesting that someone is behaving or presenting themselves in a way that is pretentious or pompous. This can be seen as a form of putting on frills, as it involves trying to appear more important or impressive than one actually is. People may put on airs by using grandiose language, exaggerating their accomplishments, or adopting a haughty demeanor.

Another idiom that relates to putting on frills is "put a hat on a hat," which refers to the act of adding something unnecessary or redundant to an already complex or excessive situation. This is similar to putting on frills, as it involves adding unnecessary embellishments or details that do not contribute to the overall effectiveness or clarity. It is a reminder to avoid overcomplicating things and to focus on what is truly essential.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.