{"id":4981,"date":"2015-08-18T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2015-08-18T13:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=4981"},"modified":"2015-06-22T23:34:55","modified_gmt":"2015-06-23T03:34:55","slug":"english-idioms-involving-clothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/english-idioms-involving-clothing\/","title":{"rendered":"English idioms involving clothing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>

Image by Joel Penner on Flickr.com.<\/p><\/div>\n

This post is one for all the “fashionistas” (or people who love clothes and fashion) out there. Today we are going to look at clothes from hats to shoes, but we aren\u2019t going to talk about specific clothing vocabulary, we are going to look at idioms and expressions that involve clothing. So, even if you don\u2019t care much about fashion, this post will still help you build your English knowledge and give you a few more fun phrases to work into your everyday speech.<\/p>\n

Clothing-related idioms from top to bottom:<\/strong><\/p>\n

at the drop of a hat<\/strong> \u2013 without planning or notice, impromptu, unexpectedly
\nExample: We are ready to leave for the hospital, to have the baby, at the drop of hat<\/em>.<\/p>\n

to take (one\u2019s) hat off to (something)<\/strong> \u2013 to admire or respect something or someone
\nExample: I take my hat off to you Burt<\/em>, that was an extremely well prepared presentation.<\/p>\n

a stuffed shirt<\/strong> \u2013 a very rigid, old-fashioned, or formal person (usually a man)
\nExample: I expected my new boss to be a real stuffed shirt<\/em> after the interview, but he is actually a pretty cool guy.<\/p>\n

to ride on (someone\u2019s) coattails<\/strong> \u2013 to gain success or fortune due to the work of someone else
\nExample: It is clear that Zack is riding on his father\u2019s coat tails<\/em>; there is no way he could be where he is now in business on his own.<\/p>\n

to have (someone) in (one\u2019s) pocket<\/strong> \u2013 to have control over someone
\nExample: The secretary has her boss in her pocket<\/em> since she found out about his illegal activity.<\/p>\n

to have an ace up (one\u2019s) sleeve<\/strong> \u2013 to have secret knowledge, especially when it can be used against someone else
\nExample: I\u2019m sure the vice president has an ace up his sleeve<\/em> that he is waiting to use when the time is right.<\/p>\n

off the cuff<\/strong> \u2013 without preparation, impromptu
\nExample: The speaker decided to make a few off the cuff<\/em> remarks before beginning her prepared speech.<\/p>\n

to tighten (one\u2019s) belt<\/strong> \u2013 to spend less money
\nExample: The time has come for us to either tighten our belts<\/em> or find second jobs.<\/p>\n

by the seat of (one\u2019s) pants<\/strong> \u2013 due to luck or good fortune
\nExample: Henry passed his math class, but only by the seat of his pants<\/em>.<\/p>\n

to have ants in (one\u2019s) pants<\/strong> \u2013 to be restless, to move a lot
\nExample: After a whole week of rain and staying indoors I felt like I had ants in my pants<\/em> and can\u2019t wait to get outside.<\/p>\n

if the shoe fits, wear it<\/strong> \u2013 a way of saying that someone should accept a general comment or criticism as applying to them
\nExample: A: \u201cJust because I was late for work twice this week doesn\u2019t mean I am a late person.\u201d B: \u201cI don\u2019t know about that, if the shoe fits, wear it<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

This post is one for all the “fashionistas” (or people who love clothes and fashion) out there. Today we are going to look at clothes from hats to shoes, but we aren\u2019t going to talk about specific clothing vocabulary, we are going to look at idioms and expressions that involve clothing. So, even if you…<\/p>\n

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