55 Idioms About Beauty and Appearance

When it comes to beauty and appearance, language is rich with colorful expressions that capture the essence of how we perceive attractiveness. Idioms not only enhance our conversations but also provide insight into cultural attitudes towards beauty. Whether you’re complimenting a friend or discussing a piece of art, these idioms can add flair and depth to your communication. Let’s dive into a collection of idioms that celebrate beauty and appearance!

Table of Contents

1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Meaning: This idiom suggests that perceptions of beauty are subjective and can vary from person to person.
In a Sentence: While some find the abstract painting stunning, others think it’s just a mess; beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Other Ways to Say: Different strokes for different folks, beauty lies in the viewer’s perspective.

2. A sight for sore eyes

Meaning: This phrase describes someone or something that is a welcome sight, often because it brings joy or relief.
In a Sentence: After a long day at work, seeing my best friend was a sight for sore eyes.
Other Ways to Say: A breath of fresh air, a welcome change.

3. As pretty as a picture

Meaning: Used to describe someone who is very attractive or charming, often in a wholesome way.
In a Sentence: She walked into the room, looking as pretty as a picture in her new dress.
Other Ways to Say: A real knockout, a true beauty.

4. Beauty and brains

Meaning: This idiom highlights someone who is both attractive and intelligent, showcasing that beauty isn’t just skin deep.
In a Sentence: She’s not only a successful entrepreneur but also a talented artist; she’s the perfect example of beauty and brains.
Other Ways to Say: Attractive and smart, the whole package.

5. The apple of someone’s eye

Meaning: This expression refers to someone who is cherished or adored, often used in the context of children or loved ones.
In a Sentence: My granddaughter is the apple of my eye; I can’t imagine life without her.
Other Ways to Say: The light of my life, the center of my universe.

6. Like a breath of fresh air

Meaning: This phrase describes someone or something that is refreshing and pleasant, often bringing new ideas or energy.
In a Sentence: Her positive attitude was like a breath of fresh air in the otherwise gloomy meeting.
Other Ways to Say: A refreshing change, a welcome surprise.

7. Beauty sleep

Meaning: Refers to the rest one needs to maintain a youthful appearance and good health.
In a Sentence: I need to get my beauty sleep tonight before the big event tomorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Restorative sleep, rejuvenating rest.

8. The fairest of them all

Meaning: This idiom is often used to describe the most beautiful person in a group, famously associated with fairy tales.
In a Sentence: She was known as the fairest of them all in her hometown, admired by everyone.
Other Ways to Say: The most beautiful, the beauty queen.

9. A diamond in the rough

Meaning: This phrase refers to someone who has potential but lacks refinement or polish.
In a Sentence: He may not look like much now, but he’s a diamond in the rough with great talent.
Other Ways to Say: A hidden gem, raw talent.

10. Eye candy

Meaning: Used to describe someone who is very attractive but may lack depth or substance.
In a Sentence: The new barista is definitely eye candy, but I wonder if he’s interesting to talk to.
Other Ways to Say: A visual treat, attractive but shallow.

11. To put on a pretty face

Meaning: This idiom means to appear cheerful or attractive, often to hide one’s true feelings.
In a Sentence: Even though she was feeling down, she put on a pretty face for the party.
Other Ways to Say: To put on a brave front, to mask one’s feelings.

12. A face only a mother could love

Meaning: This expression humorously suggests that someone is not conventionally attractive.
In a Sentence: He may not win any beauty contests, but he has a face only a mother could love.
Other Ways to Say: Not winning any beauty awards, not everyone’s cup of tea.

13. To steal someone’s thunder

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who takes attention away from another person’s achievements or moment.
In a Sentence: I was excited to show my artwork, but my friend stole my thunder by revealing her gallery opening first.
Other Ways to Say: To overshadow, to take the spotlight from.

14. As lovely as a rose

Meaning: This phrase compares someone’s beauty to that of a rose, symbolizing elegance and grace.
In a Sentence: On her wedding day, she looked as lovely as a rose in full bloom.
Other Ways to Say: As beautiful as a flower, radiant as the sun.

15. The beauty of youth

Meaning: This expression reflects the charm and appeal that often accompany youth.
In a Sentence: She enjoys the beauty of youth, but she also values wisdom that comes with age.
Other Ways to Say: The allure of youth, youthful charm.

16. A rose among thorns

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is beautiful or special in a challenging or unattractive environment.
In a Sentence: She felt like a rose among thorns in that competitive workplace.
Other Ways to Say: A gem in the rough, a standout.

17. To have a heart of gold

Meaning: This phrase means someone is kind and generous, often overshadowing their physical appearance.
In a Sentence: Her heart of gold makes her even more beautiful in my eyes.
Other Ways to Say: Kind-hearted, a treasure of a person.

18. To paint the town red

Meaning: This idiom refers to going out and celebrating, often dressing up and looking good.
In a Sentence: After finishing her exams, she was ready to paint the town red with her friends.
Other Ways to Say: To celebrate in style, to have a night out.

19. On the outside looking in

Meaning: This phrase describes someone who is not part of a group or situation but observes from the outside.
In a Sentence: I felt like an outsider, on the outside looking in at their glamorous lives.
Other Ways to Say: An observer, a bystander.

20. To wear one’s heart on their sleeve

Meaning: This idiom means to openly show one’s emotions, often making them more relatable.
In a Sentence: She wears her heart on her sleeve, making her incredibly approachable and genuine.
Other Ways to Say: To be open with emotions, to be transparent.

21. Beauty fades, but dumb is forever

Meaning: This humorous phrase suggests that while physical beauty may diminish over time, a lack of intelligence is lasting.
In a Sentence: She may be stunning, but beauty fades, but dumb is forever if you don’t work on yourself.
Other Ways to Say: Looks can be deceiving, intelligence lasts longer than beauty.

22. To have a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp

Meaning: This idiom humorously describes someone with an unattractive face.
In a Sentence: He’s got a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp, but his personality makes him charming.
Other Ways to Say: Not the best-looking, not a pretty sight.

23. To age like fine wine

Meaning: This expression refers to someone who becomes more attractive or distinguished as they grow older.
In a Sentence: She’s aged like fine wine, becoming more graceful and elegant with each passing year.
Other Ways to Say: To improve with age, to grow more beautiful over time.

24. To catch someone’s eye

Meaning: This phrase means to attract someone’s attention, often in a romantic or admiring way.
In a Sentence: That dress really caught my eye when I walked into the shop.
Other Ways to Say: To grab attention, to attract interest.

25. To dress to impress

Meaning: This idiom means to wear stylish or attractive clothing to make a good impression.
In a Sentence: She always dresses to impress when she goes to job interviews.
Other Ways to Say: To look sharp, to put on one’s best attire.

26. A picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning: This phrase emphasizes that images can convey complex ideas more effectively than words.
In a Sentence: The photograph of the sunset was breathtaking; truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Other Ways to Say: Visuals speak volumes, images tell stories.

27. To have the looks

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is considered attractive, especially in a way that stands out.
In a Sentence: He has the looks to be a model, with his chiseled features and charming smile.
Other Ways to Say: To be easy on the eyes, to have striking features.

28. To turn heads

Meaning: This expression means to attract attention, usually because of one’s appearance.
In a Sentence: Her stunning outfit turned heads as she walked into the gala.
Other Ways to Say: To draw attention, to stand out in a crowd.

29. To have a radiant smile

Meaning: This phrase refers to a smile that is bright and cheerful, making the person more attractive.
In a Sentence: Her radiant smile lights up the room wherever she goes.
Other Ways to Say: To have a glowing smile, to beam with joy.

30. As charming as a snake oil salesman

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is overly charming but may not be trustworthy.
In a Sentence: He was as charming as a snake oil salesman, but I could see through his facade.
Other Ways to Say: Smooth-talker, slick operator.

31. To have the Midas touch

Meaning: This phrase means to have the ability to make everything one does successful, often associated with attractiveness and charm.
In a Sentence: Everything she touches turns to gold; she truly has the Midas touch.
Other Ways to Say: To have the golden touch, to be exceptionally talented.

32. To have a face like a summer’s day

Meaning: This idiom describes someone with a pleasant and attractive face.
In a Sentence: With her bright eyes and warm smile, she has a face like a summer’s day.
Other Ways to Say: A sunny disposition, a cheerful appearance.

33. To shine like a star

Meaning: This phrase means to stand out and be exceptionally attractive or talented.
In a Sentence: At the talent show, she shone like a star with her incredible performance.
Other Ways to Say: To sparkle, to radiate brilliance.

34. To look like a million bucks

Meaning: This idiom means to look exceptionally good or attractive.
In a Sentence: After her makeover, she looked like a million bucks at the party.
Other Ways to Say: To look fabulous, to look stunning.

35. Beauty is skin deep

Meaning: This phrase emphasizes that physical beauty is superficial compared to a person’s character.
In a Sentence: She may be beautiful, but remember, beauty is skin deep; it’s her kindness that truly matters.
Other Ways to Say: True beauty comes from within, character over appearance.

36. To have a heart of stone

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who is emotionally cold or unfeeling, often contrasting with their appearance.
In a Sentence: Despite her glamorous looks, she has a heart of stone when it comes to helping others.
Other Ways to Say: Emotionally detached, unfeeling.

37. To have star quality

Meaning: This phrase describes someone who has a magnetic presence or charisma that makes them stand out.
In a Sentence: She has star quality; everyone is drawn to her at social events.
Other Ways to Say: Charismatic, magnetic presence.

38. To dress to the nines

Meaning: This idiom means to dress very elegantly or fashionably, often for a special occasion.
In a Sentence: For the wedding, she dressed to the nines in a stunning gown.
Other Ways to Say: To be dressed to perfection, to look sharp.

39. As fresh as a daisy

Meaning: This phrase describes someone who looks lively and full of energy, often after a good rest.
In a Sentence: After a good night’s sleep, he woke up as fresh as a daisy, ready to tackle the day.
Other Ways to Say: Full of energy, bright and alert.

40. To have a sultry look

Meaning: This idiom describes a seductive or alluring appearance.
In a Sentence: She gave him a sultry look that made it hard for him to focus on anything else.
Other Ways to Say: To look alluring, to have a captivating gaze.

41. To be the talk of the town

Meaning: This phrase refers to someone who attracts a lot of attention and gossip, often due to their looks or actions.
In a Sentence: After her stunning performance, she became the talk of the town.
Other Ways to Say: To be the center of attention, to be in the spotlight.

42. To paint a pretty picture

Meaning: This idiom means to create an appealing or attractive image, often in a metaphorical sense.
In a Sentence: He painted a pretty picture of his vacation, making everyone envious.
Other Ways to Say: To create an appealing narrative, to describe attractively.

43. To have a glowing complexion

Meaning: This phrase refers to someone with healthy, radiant skin that gives them an attractive appearance.
In a Sentence: After her skincare routine, she noticed she had a glowing complexion.
Other Ways to Say: Radiant skin, luminous appearance.

44. To have an eye for beauty

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who can easily recognize and appreciate beauty in art, people, or nature.
In a Sentence: With her background in art, she certainly has an eye for beauty.
Other Ways to Say: A discerning taste, an appreciation for aesthetics.

45. To have a magnetic personality

Meaning: This phrase refers to someone who naturally attracts others due to their charm and charisma.
In a Sentence: His magnetic personality makes him the life of every party.
Other Ways to Say: Charismatic, charming.

46. To be as delicate as a flower

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is fragile or sensitive, often in a physical or emotional sense.
In a Sentence: She’s as delicate as a flower, always needing gentle care and kindness.
Other Ways to Say: Fragile, tender-hearted.

47. To wear a smile like a badge of honor

Meaning: This phrase means to proudly display happiness or positivity.
In a Sentence: She wears her smile like a badge of honor, no matter the challenges she faces.
Other Ways to Say: To wear happiness proudly, to show joy openly.

48. To be a natural beauty

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who is attractive without needing much makeup or artificial enhancement.
In a Sentence: She’s a natural beauty, always looking stunning with minimal effort.
Other Ways to Say: Effortlessly beautiful, unadorned charm.

49. To have a sparkle in one’s eye

Meaning: This phrase describes someone who has a lively, enthusiastic, or mischievous look.
In a Sentence: He had a sparkle in his eye as he shared his exciting news.
Other Ways to Say: A twinkle in the eye, a lively demeanor.

50. To have a commanding presence

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who naturally attracts attention and respect due to their confidence and demeanor.
In a Sentence: The speaker had a commanding presence that held the audience’s attention throughout the lecture.
Other Ways to Say: A strong aura, an influential presence.

51. To be on cloud nine

Meaning: This phrase describes someone who is extremely happy, often about their appearance or a recent compliment.
In a Sentence: After receiving compliments on her dress, she was on cloud nine all evening.
Other Ways to Say: In seventh heaven, feeling ecstatic.

52. To have a spring in one’s step

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who walks with energy and enthusiasm, often reflecting their positive emotions.
In a Sentence: After the good news, he had a spring in his step as he walked home.
Other Ways to Say: To walk with joy, to bounce with happiness.

53. To strike a pose

Meaning: This phrase means to deliberately adopt a certain position or attitude for effect, often relating to appearance or fashion.
In a Sentence: The model struck a pose, captivating everyone with her elegance.
Other Ways to Say: To strike a stance, to pose dramatically.

54. To be a breath of fresh air

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who brings new ideas or energy, making situations more enjoyable.
In a Sentence: His enthusiasm was a breath of fresh air in the otherwise dull meeting.
Other Ways to Say: A refreshing presence, a welcome change.

55. To show one’s true colors

Meaning: This phrase means to reveal one’s true character, often contrasting with outward appearance.
In a Sentence: She seemed nice at first, but she showed her true colors when she was upset.
Other Ways to Say: To reveal one’s true self, to show one’s genuine character.

\Incorporating these idioms into your conversations can make your language more vibrant and expressive. They provide not only a way to talk about beauty and appearance but also insight into how we perceive and value these attributes in ourselves and others. Enjoy using these idioms as you celebrate the beauty around you!

Quiz: Idioms About Beauty and Appearance

What does the idiom “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” mean?
a) Beauty is universally recognized
b) Perceptions of beauty vary from person to person
c) Beauty is only skin deep
d) Everyone finds the same things beautiful
Answer: b) Perceptions of beauty vary from person to person
Which idiom refers to someone who is both attractive and intelligent?
a) A sight for sore eyes
b) Beauty and brains
c) A diamond in the rough
d) Eye candy
Answer: b) Beauty and brains
What does it mean to be “the apple of someone’s eye”?
a) To be very beautiful
b) To be cherished or adored
c) To be a subject of gossip
d) To be fashionable
Answer: b) To be cherished or adored
If someone is described as “as pretty as a picture,” what does it imply?
a) They are photogenic
b) They are attractive and charming
c) They are only beautiful in photographs
d) They are artistic
Answer: b) They are attractive and charming
What does the idiom “To catch someone’s eye” refer to?
a) To make someone laugh
b) To attract someone’s attention
c) To make a mistake
d) To look away
Answer: b) To attract someone’s attention
In which context would you use “to paint the town red”?
a) Discussing a serious matter
b) Describing a celebration or going out
c) Talking about a painting
d) Discussing fashion
Answer: b) Describing a celebration or going out
What does “to age like fine wine” mean?
a) To become less attractive over time
b) To improve in attractiveness or quality as one gets older
c) To remain unchanged throughout life
d) To become bitter with age
Answer: b) To improve in attractiveness or quality as one gets older
If someone has “star quality,” what does it imply?
a) They are good at acting
b) They have a magnetic presence or charisma
c) They are famous
d) They are wealthy
Answer: b) They have a magnetic presence or charisma
What does “to have a commanding presence” signify?
a) To be shy and reserved
b) To attract attention and respect due to confidence
c) To be physically imposing
d) To be unnoticed in a crowd
Answer: b) To attract attention and respect due to confidence
If someone is described as “a breath of fresh air,” what does that mean?
a) They are boring
b) They bring new ideas or energy
c) They are unpleasant
d) They are often criticized
Answer: b) They bring new ideas or energy

Tony James

Tony James is a skilled writer with over 5 years of experience specializing in the “noun” niche. He delves deep into the intricacies of language, exploring the significance and usage of nouns in everyday communication. Tony’s work simplifies complex linguistic concepts, making them accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds.