# rank and riches

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rank-and-riches
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

breeches

## Examples

- He wears his rank and riches with a matching jacket.
- The actor stepped onto the stage wearing traditional rank and riches that looked very uncomfortable.
- The museum display featured a pair of silk rank and riches worn by a nobleman during the eighteenth century.

## Origin

Riding breeches which were worn in the 19th century by those with either wealth or a title.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.