put on frills: Idiom Meaning and Origin

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.

A related idiom is "spruce up," which means to improve the appearance of something by adding decorative or attractive features. This can be seen as a more positive version of putting on frills, as it involves enhancing something in a genuine and intentional way. When we spruce up our writing or presentations, we are adding elements that enhance the overall quality and impact, rather than attempting to deceive others.

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.

Additionally, the idiom "pad out" can be related to putting on frills. When we say that something is padded out, it means that unnecessary or filler content has been added to make it longer or appear more substantial. This is similar to putting on frills, as it involves adding unnecessary material that does not contribute to the main point or purpose. It is important to avoid padding out our work and instead focus on providing concise and impactful information.

Lastly, the idiom "put on a pedestal" relates to putting on frills in the sense that it involves exalting or idolizing someone or something beyond their actual merit. When we put someone on a pedestal, we are treating them as if they are more important or impressive than they truly are. This can be seen as a form of putting on frills, as it involves exaggerating or overemphasizing the qualities or accomplishments of someone or something.

Overall, the idiom "put on frills" encompasses the idea of adding unnecessary or excessive embellishments or decorations to something, often with the intention of making it seem more impressive or important. This can be seen in related idioms such as "put on airs," "spruce up," "put a hat on a hat," "pad out," and "put on a pedestal." These idioms serve as reminders to be mindful of our intentions and to avoid unnecessary exaggeration or overcomplication in our actions and communications.