"Keep Your Shirt On!" English Idioms Based on Clothing
In addition to keeping us warm and stylish, clothing also has a special place in the English language. Idioms related to the things we wear are common and useful in many different situations, from simple greetings to talking about emotions.
Boost your fluency (and impress your friends) by using one of these expressions at the perfect time!
Head
A tip of the hat
"Tipping a hat" means gently nodding your head toward someone while touching the brim of your hat.
This was traditionally done as a way to greet, thank or acknowledge someone. It's used figuratively today for the same purpose.
I have to tip my hat to the many people who helped me throughout my career.
Keep something under your hat
Depending on the size of your hat, keeping something underneath it might be difficult! However, no matter the size, we use this fun idiom to refer to keeping a secret.
We're planning a surprise party for Marty, but keep it under your hat for now.
This expression has the same meaning and usage as "keep it under wraps," which is common in the business world.
We're keeping news about the company merger under wraps until the deal is finalized.
Throw one’s hat into the ring
This idiom comes from the fact that people used to literally throw their hats into a boxing ring if they were willing to fight with someone. Today, it simply means to accept a challenge or a task.
The boss asked for volunteers to lead the project, but no one threw their hat into the ring.
Old hat
Something that's "old hat" is no longer fresh, original or interesting.
These marketing strategies are old hat. We need some new and exciting ideas.
Body / Mid-section
Give the shirt off your back
We use this idiom to refer to very generous people who do all they can to help others.
Don is such a nice person; he'd give you the shirt off his back if you asked for it.
Blue-collar / White-collar
With these terms, the color of a worker's collar represents the kind of job they have.
Basically, blue-collar jobs are in places like factories and warehouses and are done by people who use their bodies to work. On the other hand, white-collar jobs are in offices and are done by people like administrators and managers. White-collar jobs typically pay higher salaries than blue-collar jobs do.
Both terms are used as adjectives.
It's hard to afford this on a blue-collar worker's salary.
The young employee had ambitions to join the white-collar staff members in the top levels of the company.
Hot under the collar
This idiom describes someone who is very angry or annoyed.
Talking about politics usually gets people hot under the collar. I suggest you avoid that topic.
Keep one’s shirt on
Telling someone to keep their shirt on is the same as telling them to stay calm and not get too excited. Only use this in informal situations.
Keep your shirt on — everyone will get their turn, so please be patient.
Keep something in your back pocket
This idiom means saving something for a time when it may be more useful.
The coach kept his team's special strategy in his back pocket until late in the game.
This expression is very similar to one used in dating. Read all about it here: English Slang for Online Dating
Ride someone’s coattails
Coattails are the long pieces of fabric that hang from old-fashioned men's suits.
"Riding" someone's coattails has a negative nuance and means staying close to someone in order to enjoy their success.
It's clear Jim is just riding his partner's coattails. He hasn't done anything to contribute to the company's success.
Arms and Hands
Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
This expression refers to someone's emotions being obvious and easy to understand.
Sid always wears his heart on his sleeve, so you never have to guess what he's feeling.
Fit like a glove
Something that fits like a glove fits perfectly. It can be used literally and figuratively.
Ooh, this jacket fits like a glove. I'll take it!
Jenny, our newest employee, fits our team like a glove.
Off the cuff
"Cuffs" are the ends of the sleeves of shirts and jackets.
Something done "off the cuff" is done spontaneously, or without planning.
The experimental band performed the entire concert off the cuff.
The politician's off-the-cuff comments have gotten him into trouble on several occasions.
Have something up one’s sleeve
If you have something "up your sleeve," you're hiding something and waiting to reveal it at a strategic moment.
This idiom usually has a negative nuance and likely comes from the idea of gamblers hiding playing cards up their sleeves in order to cheat at games like poker.
Don't believe everything Chad tells you. He's always got something up his sleeve.
Legs and Feet
Wear the pants
The person who "wears the pants" in a relationship is the one with the most power and control.
Don't be fooled by Marie's sweet face and manners; she wears the pants in her house.
Put your pants on one leg at a time
We use this expression as a reminder that even famous, successful and glamorous people still must do regular, everyday things like everyone else.
Don't think she's so different from you and I; even though she has millions of followers, she still has to put her pants on one leg at a time.
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
If you live in an apartment building, you may have heard an upstairs neighbor coming home and dropping their shoes on the floor. When you hear the sound of one, the other usually comes soon after.
Similarly, we use this expression to describe a tense situation in which something negative is expected to happen as a continuation of something else.
Many workers in the company have already been laid off. The rest of us are safe for now, but we're waiting for the other shoe to drop.
For more expressions related to hiring and firing workers, check out this article: "You're Fired!" Expressions for Joining and Leaving Companies
In someone else’s shoes
Being "in someone's shoes" is a figurative way to express understanding another person's perspective or experience.
This idiom can be used in a few different ways:
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes
A
Jack's been really grumpy lately.
B
Yeah, but put yourself in his shoes — he's been working overtime all week. He's probably very tired.
[= If you had been working overtime all week, you would probably be grumpy as well.]
If I were in your shoes ~
She's always so confident. If I were in her shoes, I'd be terrified.
[= If I were in her position, I'd be terrified.]
Walk a mile in someone’s shoes
Don't judge me until you've walked a mile in my shoes.
[= You shouldn't judge me unless you've experienced what I've experienced.]
If the shoe fits, wear it.
We use this phrase to encourage someone to accept criticism if it points out a real issue or problem. It's often said without "wear it."
A
My teacher says my English hasn't improved because I don't speak it enough.
B
Well, if the shoe fits …
Knock your socks off
If something "knocks your socks off," it amazes you. This expression should only be used for things that make a very big and very positive impression on you.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy the movie, but it absolutely knocked my socks off! It's my favorite film of the year.
General Clothing Idioms
Dress to impress
The "dress" here is a verb, not a noun.
You might see or hear this short phrase in an invitation to an event. It means to wear nice or fancy clothing — although not necessarily formal clothing.
The party starts at 8 p.m. Dress to impress!
Dressed to kill
This is a much stronger version of dressing to impress. Someone who is "dressed to kill" is wearing clothing that is meant to make a very strong impression on others. It is often said about women wearing glamorous or revealing clothing.
Angelina dressed to kill, and everyone in the room noticed.
Rags to riches
"Rags" refers to old clothes that have become worn and dirty over time.
This idiom represents a lifestyle that has changed from poor to wealthy, usually very quickly.
He went from rags to riches overnight.
It's often used as an adjective.
Many people were inspired by her incredible rags-to-riches story.
Wrap-up
From head to toe, clothing idioms can help your English to sound more expressive and allow you to communicate complex ideas quickly and easily.
Want to try using these idioms in a real conversation? Book a lesson with an Engoo tutor! Engoo has tutors around the world who are ready to help you improve your English any time of day. Give it a try!
