IDIOMS RELATED TO CLOTHES AND CLOTHING

below the belt	An action or remark described as below the belt is considered to be unfair or cruel. Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt.
tighten your belt	If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend less money or be careful how you spend it because there is less available. Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!
under one's belt	If you have something under your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily achieved something. You've got to have some work experience under your belt before you can hope to get a permanent job.
too big for your boots(or britches)	To say that a person is getting too big for their boots (or britches) means that you think they are behaving as if they were more important than they really are. Tom is really getting too bit for his boots since he got a promotion - he hardly says hello any more!
hang up one's boots	When a sports player hangs up their boots, they stop playing and retire. (This expression is often used to refer to retirement in general.) Dad says he's going to hang up his boots at the end of the year.
lick someone's boots	To say that one person is licking another's boots means that they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something. Sam is licking the manager's boots in the hope of obtaining a pay rise.
tough as old boots	If something, specially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.  (This can also refer to a person who is strong either physically or in character.) I was served a steak as tough as old boots.
if the cap fits wear it	You can say 'if the cap fits, wear it' to let someone know that the critical remark they have just heard applies to them. "Are you referring to me?" "If the cap fits, wear it!"
put on your thinking cap	If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it. Now here's this week's quiz;  it's time to put your thinking caps on!
	wear many hats Someone who wears many hats has to do many different types of tasks or play a variety of roles. Our company is small so the employees need to be flexible and accept to wear many hats. get knickers in twist If you get your knickers in a twist, you are anxious, nervous, or angry faced with a difficult situation. Don't get  your knickers in a twist!  Everything is under control. ants in one's pants People who have ants in their pants are very restless or excited about something.  I wish he'd relax. He's got ants in his pants about something today. pocket of resistance A small group of people you resist change or disagree with a proposal form a pocket of resistance. The new boss wants to introduce job-sharing, but there's a pocket of resistance in the sales department. have someone in your pocket If you have influence or power over someone, you have them in your pocket. He was declared 'not guilty', but everyone knew that he had the jury in his pocket. out of your ownpocket If you pay for something out of your own pocket, you cover the cost with your own money. Breakfast is included but you must pay for lunch out of your own pocket. suit every pocket This term refers to the amount of money you are able to spend or the price you can afford. The store offers a wide range of computers at prices to suit every pocket. deep pockets A person or organization who has a lot of money has deep pockets. Andy's business is not doing well at the moment.  He says he needs a friend with deep pockets! keep your shirt on! If you tell somebody to keep their shirt on, you are asking them to calm down. Keep your shirt on Bob. Just give your version of the story! shoe is on the other foot When the circumstances have reversed and one person is now doing what the other did in the past, you can say that the shoe is on the other foot. I used to advise my children to eat healthy food.  Now my daughter is a nutritionist and the shoe in on the other foot - she advises me! in someone's shoes To talk about being in someone's shoes means to imagine how you would react if you were in a similar situation. Tom's sales have dropped by 30% this month.  I wouldn't like to be in his shoes! step into someone'sshoes If you step into someone's shoes, you take over a job or position held by someone else before you. William has been trained to step into his father's shoes when he retires. where the shoepinches When people talk about 'where the shoe pinches', they are referring to an area that is often a source of problems or difficulties. She's sure the public transport system works perfectly, but she'll find out where the shoe pinches when she starts using it! on a shoestring If you do something on a shoestring, you do it with very little money. When I was a student I lived on a shoestring. laugh up your sleeve  If you laugh up your sleeve, you are secretly amused at another person's problems or difficulties. Tom felt that his demonstration was confusing and that his colleague was laughing up his sleeve. roll up your sleeves When you roll up your sleeves, you get ready for hard work. The house was in a mess after the party so we had to roll up our sleeves and start cleaning. knock your socks off If something amazes you, or impresses you greatly, it knocks your socks off. The magnitude of the project will knock the socks off everyone in the office. black tie event This expression refers to a formal event at which men are required to wear a dinner jacket, or tuxedo, and a black bow tie. I need to know if it's going to be a casual get-together or a black tie event. wear the trousers (or pants) The partner in a couple who wears the trousers is the one who makes all the important decisions. The salesman hesitated before the couple. It was difficult to see who wore the trousers.