Clothes Idioms

Clothes idioms are a fascinating aspect of the English language. These idioms are phrases that use clothing or clothing items to convey a certain meaning. They are often used in everyday conversations, and it’s important to understand them in order to fully grasp the meaning of what someone is saying.

List of Clothes Idioms in English

All Talk and No Trousers
All The Rage
At the Drop of a Hat
Bundle Up
Dyed-in-the-wool (adj.)
Excused Boots
Fashion-Forward
Feather in One’s Cap
First In, Best Dressed
Hang It Up
Keep It Under Your Hat
Knock Someone’s Socks Off
Lose the Thread
Mutton Dressed Up as Lamb
Old Hat
Quake In One’s Boots
Shake the Dust off Your Shoes (Feet)
Throw Down the Gauntlet

Clothes Idioms with Meaning and Examples

All Talk and No Trousers

Meaning: Talks a lot but doesn’t follow through on their promises or actions.
Example: “He talks a big game, but he’s all talk and no trousers.”

All The Rage

Meaning: Popular or fashionable, it’s “all the rage.”
Example: “Those new shoes are all the rage right now.”

At the Drop of a Hat

Meaning: Do it immediately or without hesitation.
Example: “She’s always ready to travel at the drop of a hat.“

Bundle Up

Meaning: When it’s cold outside, we need to bundle up by wearing warm clothes.
Example: “It’s freezing outside, so make sure you bundle up before you go out.”

Dyed-in-the-wool (adj.)

Meaning: Describe someone who is a true and loyal supporter of something or someone.
Example: “He’s a dyed-in-the-wool fan of that football team.”

Excused Boots

Meaning: Describe someone who is given special treatment or is excused from doing something.
Example: “He always gets excused boots from doing the dishes.”

Fashion-Forward

Meaning: Ahead of the fashion trends.
Example: “She’s always wearing the latest fashion trends. She’s so fashion-forward.”

Feather in One’s Cap

Meaning: Achievement or accomplishment that a person is proud of.
Example: “Winning that award was a feather in her cap.“

First In, Best Dressed

Meaning: The first person to arrive at an event or gathering will have the advantage of choosing the best outfit or seat.
Example: “We need to get there early. Remember, first in, best dressed.”

Hang It Up

Meaning: Retiring or quitting a job or career.
Example: “After 30 years of teaching, she decided to hang it up.”

Keep It Under Your Hat

Meaning: Keep it a secret.
Example: “I heard some juicy gossip, but I promised to keep it under my hat.“

Knock Someone’s Socks Off

Meaning: Impress or surprise someone.
Example: “Her singing performance really knocked our socks off.”

Lose the Thread

Meaning: Lose track of the main idea or topic.
Example: “I’m sorry, can you repeat that? I lost the thread.“

Mutton Dressed Up as Lamb

Meaning: Trying to look younger or more attractive than they really are.
Example: “She’s wearing clothes that make her look like mutton dressed up as lamb.”

Old Hat

Meaning: Outdated or no longer new or exciting.
Example: “That style of clothing is old hat. No one wears that anymore.”

Quake In One’s Boots

Meaning: To be very scared or nervous.
Example: “I was quaking in my boots when I had to give that presentation.”

Shake the Dust off Your Shoes (Feet)

Meaning: To leave a place or situation and move on to something new.
Example: “After that terrible job, I shook the dust off my shoes and moved on to something better.”

Throw Down the Gauntlet

Meaning: Issue a challenge or invitation to fight.
Example: “He threw down the gauntlet and challenged his opponent to a duel.”