Clothes Idioms

Clothes Idioms
Pull your socks up

Meaning: make an effort to improve performance
Example: We need to pull our socks up and study harder for the final
exam.
Cut from the same cloth

Meaning: of the same nature; to be similar
Example: My brother and I are cut from the same cloth. We even
sound alike on the telephone.
With a fine-tooth comb

Meaning: to examine or search very carefully
Example: FBI went through investigation with a fine-tooth comb.
Fit like a glove

Meaning: To fit perfectly
Example: I bought this new dress from a mall and it fits like a glove.
At the drop of a hat

Meaning: to do something immediately, without hesitation
Example: If you need any help, just let me know and I’ll come at the
drop of a hat.
To lose one’s shirt
Meaning: to lose a lot of money
Example: One of my friend lost his shirt when the stock market
crashed.
Roll up one’s sleeves

Meaning: prepare for a fight or hard work
Example: When he realised he will miss a deadline, he rolled up his
sleeves to finish the project
In someone’s shoes
Meaning: to be in someone else’s situation
Example: Before you get angry at someone, put yourself in their
shoes.
Have an ace up (one’s) sleeve

Meaning: To have a secret or hidden advantage
Example: If you decide to go against the rules than you have to have
an ace up your sleeve.
To laugh up (one’s) sleeve

Meaning: To rejoice or laugh secretly
Example: I couldn’t help but laugh up my sleeve when I heard that
funny joke.
Get the boot
Meaning: To get fired to rejected
Example: I need to find a new job as I got the boot today.
Burn a hole in your pocket

Meaning: To become eager to spend all money
Example: As soon as I get paid I go for shopping. Money burns a
hole in my pocket.
To have ants in one’s pants

Meaning: To be very excited or nervous about something
Example: Steve had ants in his pants the day before his presentation.
To pull a rabbit out of a hat

Meaning: to do something unexpectedly
Example: We were about to go bankrupt, but my partner pulled a
rabbit out of a hat and we got a new contract.
To take your hat off

Meaning: To show someone respect for their achievement
Example: I take my hat off to you for your remarkable performance
in the dance competition.
Below the belt

Meaning: a very personal insult or harm
Example: Her personal remarks about my hair was below the belt.
Tighten your belt
Meaning: to spend less money
Example: I’ve had to tighten my belt since I lost my job.
To wear several hats

Meaning: To have many roles or tasks
Example: She wears many hats: she’s a mother, an advocate, and an
writer.
To wear the pants in one’s family

Meaning: To have the dominant role in the family
Example: They look equally strong but Sara is the one who wears the
pants in their relationship.
Wolf in sheep’s clothing

Meaning: Someone who is dangerous but pretends to be harmless
Example: I can not trust your new friend. I think he is a wolf in
sheep’s clothing.
Clothes Idioms Quiz
1. The boy always comes to help his friends (very promptly)
which is why everybody likes him.
a) dressed to kill
b) below the belt
c) under his belt
d) at the drop of a hat
2. It is time that we (make a big effort) and try to get this job
done.
a) fill our shoes
b) keep our shirt on
c) buckle down
d) tighten our belts
3. The train was (full and very crowded) this morning.
a) off the cuff
b) bursting at the seams
c) decked out
d) flying by the seat of its pants
4. The woman was (dressed) in her best clothes when I
saw her at the theater last night.
a) decked out
b) coming into fashion
c) filling her shoes
d) on a shoestring
5. The fact that my friend is the new class president is
(something that he should be proud of).
a) on his coat-tails
b) a feather in his cap
c) talking through his hat
d) up his sleeve
6. Our boss always (shows his feelings openly) and
everyone knows his problems.
a) wears his heart on his sleeve
b) wears the pants in his family
c) pulls up his socks
d) loses his shirt
7. Now that I have some job experience (in my possession),
I will be able to look for a better job.
a) below the belt
b) burning a hole in my pocket
c) up my sleeve
d) under my belt
8. The man is a (very formal person) and nobody likes to
invite him to a party.
a) wolf in sheep`s clothing
b) fine-tooth comb
c) stuffed shirt
d) bee in his bonnet
9. The student will have to (make a greater effort) if he
wants to pass his exams.
a) pull up his socks
b) air his dirty linen in public
c) handle himself with kid gloves
d) put on his thinking cap
10. "You should try and (calm down). It is not good to
become angry."
a) roll up your sleeves
b) wear your heart on your sleeve
c) lose your shirt
d) keep your shirt on
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student B.)
(1)Why do we need clothes?

(2)Why do people spend lots of money on clothes?
(3)Who decides which clothes are fashionable?
(4)Do you think clothes are a waste of money?
(5)How long does it take you to decide which clothes to wear?
(6)Is shopping for clothes your favourite kind of shopping?
(7)Do you buy clothes magazines?
(8)Do you ever think other people look good in their clothes but
you don’t look good in your clothes?
(9) Were you embarrassed to wear the clothes you wore as a
kid?
(10 Why are you wearing the clothes you have on now?
)
__________________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student A.)
(1) What do clothes tell people about our personalities?

(2) Do you have clothes in your closet that you’ve never worn?
(3) Do you ever buy used clothes?
(4) Do you have a favourite clothes shop?
(5) What new clothes would you like to buy if you had lots of
money?
(6) Are men’s clothes or women’s clothes best?
(7) Do you always recycle your old clothes or give them to
charity?
(8) What do you think of my clothes?
(9) What’s your favourite item of clothing?
(10 If you were an item of clothing, what would you be and
) why?
__________________________________________________________________________________

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Clothes Idioms

Pull your socks up

Cut from the same cloth

With a fine-tooth comb

Fit like a glove

At the drop of a hat

Roll up one’s sleeves

Have an ace up (one’s) sleeve

To laugh up (one’s) sleeve

Burn a hole in your pocket

To have ants in one’s pants

To pull a rabbit out of a hat

To take your hat off

Below the belt

To wear several hats

To wear the pants in one’s family

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

(1)Why do we need clothes?

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student A.)

(1) What do clothes tell people about our personalities?

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