Cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Zesty Y calendar 2022-02-22 09:02

Meaning of Cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth

Synonyms:

live within (one's) means

Cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth proverb

To live without spending more money than one can afford or has.

 

You need to start cutting your coat according to your cloth and avoid spending money frivolously.

He had to cut his coat according to his cloth this semester since his parents gave him a stricter allowance.

Grammar and Usage of Cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth

Verb Forms

  • cutting (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth

The verb "cut" must be conjugated according to its tense.
 

Origin of Cut (one's) coat according to (one's) cloth

A tailor, making such a coat, would pay no attention to the pattern in the cloth nor to warp or woof; he would make it out of whatever material there was at hand, taking advantage of every scrap, regardless of the appearance of the ultimate garment.It had become proverbial in England by the time (John) Heywood compiled his 'Dialogue conteynyng Prouerbes and Epigrammes' in 1546, but no one can tell how much earlier it had been common in English speech.

The Origin Cited: phrases.org.uk .
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