What does “Give the shirt off your back” mean?
"Give the shirt off your back" means to be extremely generous and willing to help someone, even if it means giving away your own possessions or sacrificing your own comfort.
What context can I use the in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Example
He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in need.
He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in need.
Example
She's always willing to give the shirt off her back to support a good cause.
She's always willing to give the shirt off her back to support a good cause.
Example
Even though he didn't have much, he would give the shirt off his back to help those less fortunate
Even though he didn't have much, he would give the shirt off his back to help those less fortunate
Is “Give the shirt off your back” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Give the shirt off your back” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Give the shirt off your back” effectively in context?
You can use "Give the Shirt Off Your Back" to describe someone who is extremely generous and willing to help others, even if it means giving away their own possessions or sacrificing their own comfort. For example, if you want to praise a friend who is always there for others, you might say, 'He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in need.'
- 1Friendship
She's always willing to give the shirt off her back to support a good cause.
She's always willing to give the shirt off her back to support a good cause.
- 2Charity
Even though he didn't have much, he would give the shirt off his back to help those less fortunate.
Even though he didn't have much, he would give the shirt off his back to help those less fortunate.
- 3Generosity
He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a stranger in need.
He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a stranger in need.
Similar phrases to “Give the shirt off your back”:
To be extremely generous and willing to help someone, even if it means giving away your own possessions or sacrificing your own comfort
Example
He's the type of person who would give someone the shirt off his back to help them.
He's the type of person who would give someone the shirt off his back to help them.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Give the shirt off your back” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Give the Shirt Off Your Back" is unknown.
Is “Give the shirt off your back” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Give the Shirt Off Your Back" is a well-known and frequently used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe someone who is extremely generous and selfless.
What tone does “Give the shirt off your back” have?
"Give the Shirt Off Your Back" conveys a tone of admiration and appreciation. It is used to praise someone's generosity and willingness to help others.
Can “Give the shirt off your back” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Give the Shirt Off Your Back" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes a person's selflessness and generosity. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as speeches, presentations, or written correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He's the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in need.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He would give the shirt off his back!' to emphasize someone's generosity.
