Plain Clothes
Definition:
"Plain clothes" refers to regular, everyday clothing that people wear, as opposed to uniforms or specific work clothes. For example, police officers might wear plain clothes when they are not in uniform.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "plain clothes" when you want to describe someone who is not wearing a uniform but is still doing a job that might typically require one. It is often used in contexts like law enforcement or when discussing casual wear.
Example:
- The detectives were in plain clothes while they were investigating the case, so they blended in with the crowd.
Advanced Usage:
In a more advanced context, "plain clothes" can also refer to individuals in roles that require discretion, such as security personnel or undercover agents.
Word Variants:
There are no direct variants of "plain clothes," but you might hear related phrases like "plainclothes officer" or "plainclothes detective."
Different Meaning:
"Plain" can also mean simple or without decoration, but in "plain clothes," it specifically refers to everyday attire.
Synonyms:
- Casual clothes - Regular clothes - Civilian clothes
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "plain clothes," but you might hear phrases like "dressed down," which means wearing casual clothing instead of formal or uniform attire.
Summary:
"Plain clothes" describes ordinary clothing worn by individuals who may typically wear uniforms.