spit-and-polish love

spit-and-polish

Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective idiomatic paying much attention to outward appearance

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word spit-and-polish.

Examples

  • The mere appearance of these spit-and-polish redcoats raised the question of relative rank that annoyed Washington and his officers.

    George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

  • He needed a radically new kind of army if he was to defeat hordes of screaming Illyrians or the spit-and-polish professionals of the Sacred Band.

    Alexander the Great Philip Freeman 2011

  • The mere appearance of these spit-and-polish redcoats raised the question of relative rank that annoyed Washington and his officers.

    George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

  • The mere appearance of these spit-and-polish redcoats raised the question of relative rank that annoyed Washington and his officers.

    George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

  • He needed a radically new kind of army if he was to defeat hordes of screaming Illyrians or the spit-and-polish professionals of the Sacred Band.

    Alexander the Great Philip Freeman 2011

  • The mere appearance of these spit-and-polish redcoats raised the question of relative rank that annoyed Washington and his officers.

    George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

  • Instead, I look at my story and ask myself if that little piece I think could use a bit more spit-and-polish is really necessary.

    Writing Like Crazy: Revisionist History 2010

  • Although Russian armed forces suffered from severe funding shortages and morale problems in the early years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the parade put forth the image of a spit-and-polish and vigorous military, with an emphasis on discipline and precision.

    Russia Celebrates Victory Day 2011

  • Instead, I look at my story and ask myself if that little piece I think could use a bit more spit-and-polish is really necessary.

    Archive 2010-03-01 2010

  • On the first day the spit-and-polish Army of the Potomac paraded to cheering crowds.

    Between War and Peace Col. Matthew Moten 2011

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.