# sleeves from one's vest

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sleeves-from-ones-vest
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.

## Examples

- That promise is worth nothing, like sleeves from one's vest.
- The salesman offered a guarantee that was essentially sleeves from one's vest.
- The politician's grand proposal proved to be nothing more than sleeves from one's vest, offering no real substance to the struggling community.

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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.