ENGLISH
REFERENCE

the shirt off one's back

idiom
Meaning

Everything currently in the possession of a person.


Examples
SIMPLE

He is so kind that he would give you the shirt off his back.

CONTEXTUAL

My brother is incredibly generous and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

COMPLEX

Despite having very little himself, he possessed such a noble spirit that he would have given the shirt off his back to help a stranger in distress.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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