PhrasesHub

Best bib and tucker

    Definitions

      • dressing up
        To wear one's finest or most formal clothing, often for a special occasion or event

      • showing off
        To dress in a flashy or ostentatious manner, often to impress or gain attention from others

      • being presentable
        To dress neatly and presentably, often in one's best or most flattering clothes

    Examples of Best bib and tucker

    • She put on her best bib and tucker for the job interview.

      This idiom is used to describe when someone dresses up formally or smartly, to make a good impression on others. 'Bib and tucker' is an old-fashioned term for clothes, and 'best' implies that the clothes are the nicest or smartest that the person has.

    • The waiter was wearing his best bib and tucker as he greeted us at the restaurant.

      In this instance, 'best bib and tucker' is used to describe the smart and formal attire that someone is wearing. 'Bib and tucker' was originally a term used to describe a linen chest used to store clothes, but has since become a more general term for all types of clothes.

    • They pieced together the evidence using their best bib and tucker.

      This may sound unusual, but in this context, 'best bib and tucker' is used figuratively. It means that they were using all the resources and information they had at their disposal to solve the case. 'Best bib and tucker' implies that they were not leaving anything to chance.

    • After retiring, he wore his best bib and tucker to the golf club every day.

      This idiom is used to describe how someone spends their time after they retire. 'Best bib and tucker' implies that the person is dressing up smartly, possibly to meet friends, or take part in social activities at the golf club. This shows that the person is making the most of their retirement, and enjoying their leisure time.

    • In order to impress the potential clients, the host served a grand feast, asking everyone to put on their best bib and tucker before sitting down.

      The phrase "best bib and tucker" is used here to mean putting on one's finest and most elegant clothes, implying that this was a formal event that warranted dressing up. The guests were encouraged to wear their best outfits so that they could look their finest while enjoying the meal.

    • Despite having a long and tiresome day, Emma made the effort to change into her best bib and tucker for her friend's wedding. She didn't want to appear underdressed or sloppy on such an important occasion.

      "Best bib and tucker" is used here to describe the most impressive and presentable attire that a person owns, signifying that the person is making an effort to appear elegant and stylish in a particular situation. Emma changed into her finest clothes to honor the specialness of her friend's wedding and to demonstrate her respect for the occasion.

    • Before the important presentation, the CEO asked his employees to dress up in their best bib and tucker, to make the right impression on the clients they were meeting.

      "Best bib and tucker" is used here to describe the most professional and polished way in which a person chooses to present themselves in a professional setting. The CEO wanted his employees to dress neatly and impressively in order to make the best possible impression on their potential clients, demonstrating that they were a confident and trustworthy company.

    • The groom's mother insisted that all the guests at the wedding wear their best bib and tucker, in order to pay fitting tribute to the happy couple.

      "Best bib and tucker" is used here to signify the formal and polished way in which a person chooses to dress for a particularly significant event, such as a wedding. The groom's mother wanted all the guests to appear elegant and presentable in honor of the wedding couple, demonstrating that they were being treated with respect and formality for the occasion.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "best bib and tucker" is commonly used to refer to dressing up, whether it be for a special occasion or simply to look presentable. It can also have a connotation of showing off or trying to impress others with one's clothing.

    Originally, "bib and tucker" referred to the two parts of a woman's dress that were most likely to get dirty - the bib (the front of the dress) and the tucker (the detachable collar). The phrase was first recorded in the 17th century and was used to describe a woman's best and most fashionable clothing.

    Over time, the phrase evolved to include both men and women and came to mean one's best or finest clothing. The addition of "best" in the phrase "best bib and tucker" emphasizes the idea of dressing up in one's most impressive or formal attire.

    Origin of "Best bib and tucker"

    The origins of the idiom "best bib and tucker" are rooted in the fashion trends of the 17th century. During this time, women's dresses often consisted of two separate parts - a bodice and a skirt. The bodice was typically made of a sturdier material and was worn over a detachable collar called a tucker. The tucker was meant to protect the bodice from getting dirty, as it could easily be removed and washed.

    The phrase "bib and tucker" was commonly used to refer to these two parts of a woman's dress. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that "best bib and tucker" came into use. It is believed that the phrase may have originated as a humorous way to refer to one's best and most fashionable clothing.

    Today, the idiom is still used to describe dressing up or wearing one's best clothes, but it has also taken on a more figurative meaning of showing off or trying to impress others.