Buttonhole Someone

Meaning Of Idiom ‘Buttonhole Someone’ To buttonhole someone is to detain someone and engage them in conversation, preventing them from going on their way; to accost someone; to hold on to someone’s lapel, blocking them from leaving, forcing them into a conversation. Sentence Examples “The reporter tried to buttonhole the representative while he was going … Read more

Empty Suit

Meaning of Idiom ‘Empty Suit’ An empty suit is a person who appears to be a person of authority and importance but who is actually ineffectual, incompetent, or average and unremarkable; a person in a prominent position but who lacks substance, ability, or personality. In this way, an empty suit is often a way of describing … Read more

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Meaning of Idiom ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a person who appears to be friendly and pleasant but is hiding the fact that they are an enemy; an enemy disguised as a friend; a person who is dangerous but pretends to be harmless and friendly; someone who has malicious intent but hides … Read more

Take off Something

Also: Take something off Meaning of Idom ‘Take Off Something’ 1. Remove; undress, as applied to clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, etc. as in to take off one’s shirt or take off one’s glasses. 1,2 Usage note: This meaning can be applied to Anything worn as clothing or jewelry as well as cosmetics (when washing off or removing makeup), bandages, … Read more

Put On

Meaning of Idiom ‘Put On’ 1. To dress oneself in clothing, jewelry, or to place eyeglasses or contact lenses on one’s eyes, etc. 1,2 Usage note: This meaning can apply to many items, such as cosmetics, or personal care products including deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, bandages, topical medication, lip balm, perfume, cologne, etc. The opposite of to … Read more

Keep Your Pants On

Also: Keep your shirt on Meaning of Idiom ‘Keep Your (or one’s) Pants On’ When someone is told to keep their pants on, it means they should be patient and wait calmly. 1 Want to see more videos from Idioms.Online? Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Usage ‘Keep your pants on’ is usually said to a person … Read more

Gloves Are Off, the

Also: Take the gloves off The gloves are coming off The gloves came off Meaning of Idiom ‘The Gloves are Off’ When we say the gloves are off we mean that an argument or fight is about to get very serious and there will no longer be any hesitation or compromise. Examples Of Use “You should never … Read more

Give the Shirt Off One’s Back

Meaning of Idiom ‘Give the Shirt Off One’s Back’ To give (someone) the shirt off one’s (your, his, her) back is to give anything or everything you have; to be extremely generous and helpful; to be willing to sacrifice to help others. 1,2  Want to see more videos from Idioms.Online? Subscribe to our YouTube … Read more

Caught With Your Pants Down

This expression is one of a surprising number of idioms with the word pants in them. Meaning Of Idiom ‘Caught With Your Pants Down’ To be caught with your pants down means to be caught unawares in a situation to which you are completely unable to respond, react, etc. This expression means much the same as being a “deer … Read more