CLOTHING IDIOMS
Here are some common idioms based on clothes and clothing.
At the drop of a hat: (without advance notice)
She is there for anybody in need at the drop of a hat.
(have a) bee in one's bonnet: (something that is annoying someone)
John has a bee in his bonnet since this morning but he doesn’t tell me what is wrong with him.
below the belt: (beyond what is fair or socially acceptable)
His speech was good but there were somethings below the belt.
caught with one's pants down: (unprepared)
My colleagues caught me with my pants down, because I had forgotten all about the meeting.
(have a) card up one's sleeve: (to have a secret)
I think my boss has a card up his sleeve. He asked me to show up before everybody else.
buckle down: (work very hard)
our teacher said to buckle down for the test, cause that’s our final.
burn a hole in one's pocket: (the money that one is tempted to spend)
let’s go shopping. There is a hundred box in my bag burning a hole in my pocket.
fit like a glove: (fit perfectly)
Her dress fits me like a glove.
fine-tooth comb: (in great detail)
The police looked for fingerprints with a fine-tooth comb.
fly by the seat of one's pants: (without any plan)
I had no idea what to say in the conference. I had to fly by the seat of my pants.
handle with kid gloves: (treat delicately)
Please handle the TV set with kid gloves.
hand-me-down: (used clothes)
We buy hand-me-down skates because the kids' feet grow so quickly.
keep one's shirt on:(try to stay calm)
I know you're in a hurry, but please keep your shirt on.
keep something zipped: (keep something a secret)
We are going to sell the house but we are keeping it zipped.
put oneself in someone else's shoes: (imagine what it would be like to be in someone else's situation)
Put yourself in my shoes before you judge me.
roll up one's sleeves: (get down to hard work)
To help the needy man he rolled up his sleeves.
wear the trousers: (to be in charge)
In this house, I’m the one who wears the trousers.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve: (display emotions openly)
My Dad's not afraid to cry. He always wears his heart on his sleeve.
