diff --git a/src/bin/cargo/commands/update.rs b/src/bin/cargo/commands/update.rs
index 4871b2cb430..d72c19cd266 100644
--- a/src/bin/cargo/commands/update.rs
+++ b/src/bin/cargo/commands/update.rs
@@ -25,17 +25,14 @@ pub fn cli() -> Command {
         .arg(
             flag(
                 "aggressive",
-                "Force updating all dependencies of SPEC as well when used with -p",
+                "Force updating all dependencies of [SPEC]... as well",
             )
             .conflicts_with("precise"),
         )
         .arg(
-            opt(
-                "precise",
-                "Update a single dependency to exactly PRECISE when used with -p",
-            )
-            .value_name("PRECISE")
-            .requires("package-group"),
+            opt("precise", "Update [SPEC] to exactly PRECISE")
+                .value_name("PRECISE")
+                .requires("package-group"),
         )
         .arg_quiet()
         .arg(
diff --git a/tests/testsuite/cargo_update/help/stdout.log b/tests/testsuite/cargo_update/help/stdout.log
index 871b4b23ae4..dec044f4b7b 100644
--- a/tests/testsuite/cargo_update/help/stdout.log
+++ b/tests/testsuite/cargo_update/help/stdout.log
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ Usage: cargo[EXE] update [OPTIONS] [SPEC]...
 
 Options:
       --dry-run             Don't actually write the lockfile
-      --aggressive          Force updating all dependencies of SPEC as well when used with -p
-      --precise <PRECISE>   Update a single dependency to exactly PRECISE when used with -p
+      --aggressive          Force updating all dependencies of [SPEC]... as well
+      --precise <PRECISE>   Update [SPEC] to exactly PRECISE
   -q, --quiet               Do not print cargo log messages
   -v, --verbose...          Use verbose output (-vv very verbose/build.rs output)
       --color <WHEN>        Coloring: auto, always, never