dressed to kill
idiom

- attired in strikingly attractive clothing, usually of women

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

This expression has been in use since the 18th century, but the exact origin is unknown.

Perhaps it relates to the idea that the sight of someone who is dressed in style overwhelms other people. We also say about attractive, well-dressed people (usually women) that they are a "knock out."

Someone who knew something about being "dressed to kill" was England's King Henry VIII. The New York Museum of Metropolitan Art has on exhibit a priceless suit of armour worn by the famous king. The suit, from around the year 1544, was made especially for the Battle of Boulogne. With the help of his protective suit of armour, Henry besieged and captured France's largest fishing port from his base in Calais. Apart from the practicality of the suit, he obviously wanted to look good and knew exactly where to go for the best design and style; Henry ordered his suit from Italy.

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"Females in James Bond movies are DRESSED TO KILL,... in both senses of the word."

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Thanks to Stephan for suggesting today's word!