spit and polish

noun

: careful attention to making something clean and polished

Full Definition of SPIT AND POLISH

: extreme attention to cleanliness, orderliness, smartness of appearance, and ceremony often at the expense of operational efficiency

— spit–and–polish adjective

See spit and polish defined for English-language learners

from the practice of polishing objects such as shoes by spitting on them and then rubbing them with a cloth

First Known Use: 1895

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