hair shirt
/'heə'ʃə:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A garment made of coarse animal hair, worn directly against the skin: A hair shirt is an uncomfortable shirt, typically woven from goat or camel hair, worn as a form of self-mortification or penance, especially in religious contexts.
Usage
- The term "hair shirt" is used literally to refer to the physical garment. It is often associated with ascetic practices in Christianity, particularly among monks and penitents.
- It can be used metaphorically to describe a self-imposed hardship, discomfort, or a puritanical attitude.
Examples
- Literal use:
- The monk wore a hair shirt as a sign of humility and penance.
- In medieval times, a hair shirt was a common instrument of ascetic discipline.
- Metaphorical use:
- His strict diet was a kind of hair shirt, a constant reminder of his commitment.
- She adopted a hair-shirt approach to managing the budget, denying all luxuries.
Advanced Usage
- "To wear a hair shirt" (idiom): To adopt an attitude or practice of excessive self-denial or austerity.
- He's wearing a hair shirt over the company's past mistakes, constantly apologizing.
- Used to describe a person who is unnecessarily austere or penitential:
Variants and Related Words
- Haircloth (n): The coarse, stiff fabric woven from animal hair, used for making hair shirts and other items.
- The upholstery was made of rough haircloth.
Synonyms
- Sackcloth: A coarse fabric, often of goat's hair, also worn in penitence or mourning.
- Cilice: A garment or undergarment made of rough cloth or animal hair, worn for mortification.
Related Idioms
- In sackcloth and ashes: In a state of penitence or mourning (often used figuratively).
- After the scandal, the CEO was in sackcloth and ashes.
- While not a phrasal verb, the metaphorical use of "hair shirt" functions similarly to describe a self-punishing behavior or attitude.
Noun
- an uncomfortable shirt made of coarse animal hair; worn next to the skin as a penance