English Reference
Idiom idiom

camp as a row of tents


Very camp, highly campy.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

His outfit for the party is camp as a row of tents.

CONTEXTUAL

The actor wore a bright, feathered costume that was camp as a row of tents.

COMPLEX

The performance was intentionally exaggerated and camp as a row of tents, delighting the audience with its bold, theatrical flair.


Derived from a pun on the homonymy of the term camp, suggesting a visual and linguistic alignment between the state of being ostentatious and the orderly arrangement of a military bivouac.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    big tent

    A group, philosophy, or social or political movement that encompasses or seeks to attract a broad range of constituents or members, or views.

  2. 02

    boot camp

    Any short, often intensive course of training.

  3. 03

    camp out

    To wait or queue for something expected to occur, often overnight.

  4. 04

    camp out on

    To exert or maintain control over a website, domain name, wiki page, etc.

  5. 05

    fold one's tent

    To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.

  6. 06

    get in the boat and row

    To make a substantial effort, especially in cooperation with others in a group; also, to perform one's share of work.

  7. 07

    have one's ducks in a row

    To be organized; to have one's affairs in order; specifically, to have a multiperson effort coordinated towards the exact same goal.

  8. 08

    hoe one's row

    To do one's share of a job.

Last updated August 10, 2026