25 Clothes Idioms Explained to ESL Learners
These idioms will help ESL learners better understand conversational English.
What Is an Idiom?
Idioms or idiomatic expressions are words or expressions that have figurative meanings. They should not be taken literally because their definitions are based on the culture and experiences of native speakers of English.
Because their meanings are based on native English speakers' culture, they may be confusing for many English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Most of the time, the individual meanings of the words that make up idioms do not add up to create their unique, total, and real meanings.
In many cases, it is almost ridiculous to try and guess their definitions. We just have to look up their meanings in dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster or Collins.
Below are 25 English idioms about clothes that may be useful to ESL students.
Read on to learn over 25 clothes- and clothing-related idioms in the English language.
25 English Clothes Idioms
| #1-5 | #6-10 | #11-15 | #16-20 | #21-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Wolf in sheep's clothing | 6. Roll up one's sleeves | 11. Old hat | 16. Get all dolled up | 21. Cloak-and-dagger |
2. With hat in hand | 7. Put on one's thinking cap | 12. Line one's own pockets | 17. Feather in one's cap | 22. Burst at the seams |
3. Wear the pants in one's family | 8. Play one's cards close to one's chest | 13. Hit someone below the belt | 18. Emperor's new clothes | 23. Burn a hole in one's pocket |
4. Wear one's heart on one's sleeve | 9. Out-of-pocket | 14. Have an ace/card up one's sleeve | 19. Dressed to the nines or dressed to the teeth | 24. At the drop of a hat |
5. Tighten one's belt | 10. One a shoestring or get along on a shoestring | 15. A hand-me-down | 20. Down-at-the-heels | 25. Air one's dirty laundry |
1. Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
"A wolf in sheep’s clothing" is a mean or cruel person who pretends to be nice and caring.
Example
The grandmother is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Inside her home, she verbally abuses her household members; outside her home, she religiously hears mass.
2. With Hat in Hand
"With hat in hand" is an idiom that means to assume an attitude of respect and ask humbly for something.
Example
With hat in hand, the man asked the girl’s parents for her hand in marriage.
3. Wear the Pants in One’s Family
"A woman wears the pants in her family" if she is the breadwinner and is able to order family members around.
Example
The wife clearly wears the pants in her family. She earns much more than her husband and tells him what to do all the time.
4. Wear One’s Heart on One’s Sleeve
To show one’s emotions publicly and without discretion is to "wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve."
Example
He wore his heart on his sleeve, practically broadcasting to everyone that he was madly in love with her.
5. Tighten One’s Belt
"To tighten one’s belt" means to manage to get by with very little money.
Example
I tighten my belt and live below my means so I can keep money aside for emergencies.
6. Roll Up One’s Sleeves
When somebody "rolls up their sleeves," then he or she is getting ready to carry out a tough task or an important assignment.
Example
Kelley rolled up her sleeves and began to work on her new business plans.
7. Put on One’s Thinking Cap
To "put on one’s thinking cap" means to think deeply and analyze something from all possible perspectives.
Example
If you have a problem, you should put on your thinking cap so you can come up with clever solutions.
8. Play One’s Cards Close to One’s Chest
Being extremely careful and guarded is to "play one’s cards close to one’s chest." This idiomatic expression also means to not let others know about one’s plans and thoughts.
Example
The negotiators are cunning. They play their cards close to their chests and hide their real intentions.
9. Out-of-Pocket
To pay "out-of-pocket" refers to money that one directly spends for personal use usually during business trips. It is oftentimes small in amount.
"Out-of-pocket" can also refer to someone being deliberately hard to reach, as when they take a vacation.
Examples
The manager tries to keep his out-of-pocket spending low during business trips. He does not want his company’s auditors to question him about unnecessary expenses.
The businessman took a two-week trip to Hawaii with his wife and explained to his coworkers and bosses that he would be completely out-of-pocket, with his phone off most of the time.
10. On a Shoestring or Get Along on a Shoestring
"On a shoestring" means on a limited budget. To "get along on a shoestring" means to survive on a limited budget.
Example
Living below her means, she gets along on a shoestring.
11. Old Hat
Something is an "old hat" if it is not new and has been used for a long time.
Example
I’ve been using my red wallet for many years now. It is an old hat and a lucky one at that.
12. Line One’s Own Pockets
Somebody "lines their own pockets" if they earn money from shady deals.
Example
The politician lined his own pockets with bribery from people who want to win big-ticket government projects.
13. Hit Someone Below the Belt
To "hit someone below the belt" means to attack someone in an unjust manner.
Sometimes, such as in boxing, it is used literally to warn participants to avoid hitting an opponent's genitals.
Example
Unable to find any flaws in her cousin, Dina hit her below the belt by spreading rumors about her.
14. Have an Ace/Card up One’s Sleeve
To "have an ace/card up one’s sleeve" means to have a secret plan, which one can carry out during dire situations.
It can also refer to a secret weapon that can give a person a clear advantage over others.
Example
The recruiters had an ace up their sleeve. They offered their recruits attractive compensation packages when they were about to sign up for a competing company.
15. A Hand-Me-Down
A "hand-me-down" is an old and used piece of clothing that one person gets from another.
Example
The young kid was given hand-me-downs by her older sister.
16. Get All Dolled Up
To "get all dolled up" means to get fashionably dressed. This usually refers to women and also means to put on make-up.
Example
Many women love to get all dolled up for Friday night parties.
17. Feather in One’s Cap
A "feather in one’s cap" is an accomplishment or a recognition that one can be proud of.
Example
She is a veteran businesswoman, social worker, and mother with many feathers in her cap.
18. Emperor’s New Clothes
The idiom "emperor’s new clothes" is used to refer to a situation where a person keeps from criticizing another person because they think that everyone else does not want to make any criticisms.
This idiom can also be used to refer to a situation where a person believes something to be true when, in fact, that thing is false.
Example
The physical education class has been like the emperor’s new clothes for months. The students do not speak about the abuses of the soft-spoken coach since everyone else seems to love him.
19. Dressed to the Nines or Dressed to the Teeth
To be "dressed to the nines" or "dressed to the teeth" means to be stylishly or pleasingly clothed.
Example
It was the red carpet premiere of the movie, so all the guests were dressed to the nines.
20. Down-at-the-Heels
Somebody is "down-at-the-heels" if he or she wears worn-out clothes that look shabby or unkempt.
Example
The down-at-the-heels woman looked disheveled and depressed after her breakup with her long-time partner.
21. Cloak-and-Dagger
Something is "cloak-and-dagger" if it is dubious and covert.
Example
Strangely, the old woman is involved in cloak-and-dagger operations. She is an operative of the spy agency.