shirtsleeves
Noun (used in plural form: shirtsleeves) 1. The sleeves of a shirt. 2. The state of being dressed in a shirt without a jacket, coat, or other outer garment over it. This is the most common idiomatic usage, indicating informal or casual attire, often due to warmth or a relaxed setting.
The word is almost exclusively used in the plural form "shirtsleeves" and typically appears in the prepositional phrase "in (one's) shirtsleeves." This phrase describes a person's state of dress.
- Informal Attire / Comfort:
- It was so warm in the office that the manager worked in his shirtsleeves.
- They were in their shirtsleeves, enjoying the summer barbecue.
- Casual or Relaxed Environment:
- The CEO gave a shirtsleeves address to the employees, creating a friendly atmosphere. (Here, "shirtsleeves" is used attributively as an adjective.)
- The meeting was very shirtsleeves; everyone was relaxed and open.
The term can be used figuratively to describe an informal, direct, hands-on, or unpretentious style or approach to work or a situation. * He has a shirtsleeves management style, often on the factory floor talking to workers. * The politician's shirtsleeves campaign focused on practical, everyday issues.
- Shirtsleeve (adjective, attributive): Used to describe something informal, practical, or characteristic of this casual state. (e.g., a , ).
- Roll up one's sleeves: An idiom meaning to prepare for hard work. (e.g., ). This idiom is related as it involves the sleeves of a shirt but has a distinct meaning.
- Casually dressed
- Informally attired
- Jacketless
- (Figurative) Hands-on, unceremonious, down-to-earth
- In formal wear
- Jacketed
- Suited
- (Figurative) Ceremonial, detached, aloof
- not wearing a jacket
- in your shirtsleeves means you are not wearing anything over your shirt
- in hot weather they dined in their shirtsleeves