Hey there, good looking! Welcome to this comprehensive list of beauty idioms and expressions used in English.
Some of these idioms about beauty are used to describe someone or something attractive, but others mean the exact opposite – so make sure you read the definitions carefully! English idioms can be confusing, after all.
Beauty idioms
A thing of beauty
As you may have guessed, this list of beauty idioms is mostly positive, and a thing of beauty is a great place to start. It is a lovely way to describe something – an object, an action, or a person – that makes you feel happy and joyful when you see it.
“The way my mother treats her grandchildren is a thing of beauty.”
“That painting is a thing of beauty.”
Discover some more happiness and enjoyment idioms here.
Age before beauty
This lighthearted and slightly humorous phrase is a great way to say old people should be given priority over younger (perhaps more beautiful) people. Depending on which groups you fit in with, age before beauty could be a fun compliment or a cheeky insult.
“Oh no Mum, I insist. Age before beauty.”
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
More of a proverb than an idiom about beauty, this is a very commonly used phrase that is worth knowing.
To say beauty is in the eye of the beholder is to say that people have different opinions on what is beautiful. One person may find something or someone very attractive, while another person disagrees. In other words, beauty is subjective.
“I don’t like this artwork at all but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Beauty sleep
Sleep is good for you. It is said that getting the right amount of sleep makes your skin glow.
People who talk about getting their beauty sleep are simply saying they are going to have a good night’s sleep so they can look their best in the morning.
“Right, I have to go. I need my beauty sleep before the show tomorrow.”
We have some more idioms about sleep here for you to discover.
That’s the beauty of …
You can say That’s the beauty of it or end the idiom with the thing you are referring to. Either way, it’s a fun way of explaining the reason that something is excellent, enjoyable, or worthwhile.
“That’s the beauty of Messi. Such great ball control and a super player.”
“This marketing concept is so simple and yet nobody else is doing it. That’s the beauty of it.”
This is one of the beauty idioms on our list that usually does not actually refer to physical beauty.
Beauty is only skin-deep
Here’s another wise proverb about beauty. Just because someone is pretty or pleasing to the eye, it doesn’t mean they are a kind or good person. Saying beauty is only skin-deep reminds you that a person’s character is more important than how they look.
“He turned out to be such a horrid person. I guess beauty is only skin-deep.”
This is an important expression for dating and relationships, as focusing only on looks doesn’t always end well!
Not going to win a beauty contest
Beauty pageants are based on looks. So when people use the saying you’re not going to win a beauty contest or any beauty contests they mean that the person or thing in question isn’t particularly beautiful or attractive.
“My old car may not win a beauty contest but it will get us from A to B.”
“I know I’m not going to win any beauty contests at my age, but I was quite a looker in my twenties!”
This expression is often followed with a positive statement to offset the negative.
You beauty!
This saying is more of a standalone exclamation. People will normally shout “You beauty!” when something has happened that they are delighted about. It is an expression of joy and triumph that is normally heard in Australia and New Zealand.
“Look at the size of that crocodile. You beauty!”
You may also hear it shortened to “You beaut!”
Idioms about beauty
The remaining beauty idioms on our list do not feature the word ‘beauty’ but they all describe appearance. Some are more flattering than others…
A face only a mother could love
It is said that your mother loves you no matter what. So if you have a face only a mother could love, it suggests that no one else will love you as your face is so unattractive. Not a nice saying, but some love idioms are much more pleasant than this.
“After the boxing match the boxer had a face only a mother could love.”
Another version of this saying is a face that could stop a clock. This is, unfortunately, just as unkind.
Five o’clock shadow
When people have a five o’clock shadow they have a dark look on their chin and face caused by stubble; regrowth of their facial hair since their last shave. Some people find this look attractive; others consider it untidy.
“I need to get rid of this five o’clock shadow before my date.”
Ugly duckling
Although it’s insulting to call someone ugly, this expression about beauty is meant as a compliment. Coming from a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the ugly duckling stands out from all his friends while he is young, but ends up growing into a beautiful swan.
So, you might describe someone as an ugly duckling if they are not so attractive when they are younger, but they become more beautiful as they get older.
“Julie was a bit of an ugly duckling. She always looked awkward as a child, but just look at her now.”
This also features on our list of bird idioms.
As pretty as a picture
Here’s a lovely simile on our list of beautiful idioms, and it’s quite a simple one. People who are as pretty as a picture are very pleasing to the eye and look attractive or cute.
“Well look at you with that bow in your hair. You look as pretty as a picture.”
Dressed to kill
The next two beauty idioms are all about dressing to look beautiful or handsome. When you are dressed to kill you are wearing attractive clothing with the purpose of getting noticed and making an impression.
“Wow – look at the suit. He really is dressed to kill tonight.”
There are many more expressions about clothing and fashion for you to discover here.
Dressed up to the nines
When you’re going somewhere nice or to a formal event, be sure you’re dressed up to the nines. This means you look great and are wearing a suitably fancy and stylish outfit.
“It was lovely to see Chris all dressed up to the nines at the office Winter Ball.”
But where did this saying come from?
Not much to look at
The idiom not much to look at is usually followed by “but…”. We use this phrase to say that although something or someone is not visually appealing, it or they have other good qualities.
“I know my dog isn’t much to look at, but he’s very loyal.”
“This house is not much to look at now, but I can see its potential.”
Look like something the cat dragged in
This expression is about just the opposite of looking beautiful.
Cat idioms use some great imagery, and this one is no exception. If you have ever owned a cat, you will know that occasionally it catches a mouse or a bird and brings it inside your house. So if you look like something the cat dragged in, you look untidy, unkempt, or bedraggled.
“What happened to you? You look like something the cat dragged in!”
Not a hair out of place
The next two beauty idioms are talking about hair. Firstly, when you have not a hair out of place, it means you are extremely neat in appearance. This isn’t just in reference to your hair, but your overall immaculate look.
“There was not a hair out of place in the ballet performance.”
Thin up top
On the other hand, when you are thin up top it means that you are suffering from hair loss and either balding or getting a receding hairline.
“He’s getting a bit thin up top now he’s turned 50.”
You can find some more hair-related idioms here.
Look a sight
This is another less positive idiom about beauty. When people exclaim that you look a sight, they are telling you that you appear untidy, ridiculous, or just not in a good state. This can also apply to an object.
“You are welcome to get a ride in my car but it looks a sight at the moment.”
A similar alternative is look a state. Both of these are typically British idioms.
Mutton dressed as lamb
Mutton is the meat of a mature adult sheep. A lamb is what you call a baby sheep. So when you hear the derogatory phrase mutton dressed as lamb, someone is saying that an older lady is dressed in a way that is most suited for younger ladies.
“Look at the length of that skirt – she really looks like mutton dressed as lamb today.”
This is another phrase that is primarily heard in the UK.
Body-positive
Body positivity is all about focusing on your health, self-worth, and well-being instead of on how you measure up to unrealistic beauty standards often conveyed by the media. So anyone or anything that aligns with this ethos can be described as body-positive.
“I’m so glad we’re finally seeing more body-positive advertising campaigns in the mainstream media.”
Positive idioms like this are great for improving your attitude toward life.
Look (like) a million dollars/bucks
Although the saying to look (like) a million dollars can have two slightly different meanings, it basically means that you look fantastic.
Some people may mean that your make-up, hair, or outfit looks expensive. However, this beauty idiom more often means that you just look great – as good as a million dollars would look, in fact!
“She looked like a million dollars in her new dress.”
“Stop fussing about your hair. You already look a million bucks.”
You’re more likely to hear the ‘bucks’ variation in the US, and ‘dollars’ elsewhere in the world.
It’s funny how English money idioms sometimes have nothing to do with finance!
Put your face on
The final one of our beauty idioms is put your face on. In this face expression, ‘face’ means ‘make-up’, so it’s another way of saying ‘put your make-up on’. You may also just hear the noun ‘face’ used in this way, as in the second example below.
“If we’re going out tonight I’d better go put my face on.”
“She never takes a picture without her face on.”
Did any of these idioms about beauty surprise you, or were there any you had misunderstood in the past? We hope this article has helped clear things up for you.
