格かっ好こうをつける

also: かっこをつける

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

make something look better; put into shape

Used when improving the appearance or condition of something, such as tidying up or making a situation presentable.

散ちらかった部屋へやを格かっ好こうをつけてから客きゃくを呼よんだ。
I tidied up the messy room before inviting guests over.
彼かれは話はなしを格かっ好こうをつけてまとめた

。

He shaped the story into a neat summary.

2

expression, ichidan verb

put up a front; pose; pretend

Refers to acting in a way that makes oneself look good or impressive, often with a nuance of showing off or trying to appear cool.

彼かれはみんなの前まえで格かっ好こうをつけて難むずかしい本ほんを読よんでいた。
He was putting up a front by reading a difficult book in front of everyone.
格かっ好こうをつけずに、ありのままの自じ分ぶんを見みせてください。
Please show your true self without trying to look cool.

Written forms

格好をつける
- かっこうをつける
  Standard kanji spelling with the reading かっこう.
- かっこをつける
  irregular kana usage
格好を付ける
- かっこうをつける
  Variant using 付ける; both kanji forms are used.
- かっこをつける
  irregular kana usage
かっこをつける
irregular kana usage
Common colloquial kana spelling with irregular shortening of かっこう to かっこ.

Kanji

格status, rank, capacity
好fond, pleasing, like something
付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

見み栄えを張はる
見栄を張る focuses on keeping up appearances or showing off, often in a more deliberate or vain way, while 格好をつける can also simply mean tidying up or making something presentable.
体てい裁さいを整ととのえる
体裁を整える is more about arranging outward form or appearance in a proper manner, often used in formal contexts, whereas 格好をつける is more casual and can imply a bit of showing off.

Etymology

Combination of 格好 (appearance, shape) and つける (to attach, to apply). The phrase literally means 'to attach a shape/appearance,' giving rise to the meanings of making something look better or putting on a front.