👕 Give the Shirt Off One’s Back: Generosity at Its Best 👔
Give the shirt off one’s back - To give one’s all; the ultimate display of generosity. This hyperbolic expression conveys providing everything you have, even at a personal cost. The usage of this idiom can be traced back to Tobias Smollett’s 1771 novel Humphry Clinker and it remains prevalent today, synonymous with selflessness and altruism.
Related and Similar Terms
- Go the extra mile: To make an extra effort.
- Bend over backwards: Make every effort to help.
- Bleed oneself dry: Give until one has nothing left.
- Do someone a good turn: Perform an act of kindness.
Synonyms
- Selfless generosity
- Ultimate sacrifice
- Altruistic gesture
Antonyms
- Hoard
- Selfishness
- Self-centeredness
Humorous Quote & Witty Reference
“He’d give you the shirt off his back, but it’d be quite wrinkled. Try not to look a gift shirt in the seams.” - The Sartorial Philosopher
Related Proverbs & Expressions
- “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” – True friends will give you their metaphorical shirts when you’re in trouble.
- “It is better to give than to receive.” – A widespread moral that resonates with the sentiment of the expression.
Suggested Literature, Books, & Movies
- Books: Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, known for exploring themes of love and sacrifice.
- Movies: Schindler’s List, which depicts ultimate acts of selflessness under dire circumstances.
- Poetry: Elinor Wylie’s “Portrait in Black Paint,” is a subtly sarcastic take on generosity.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
As you walk through life, remember that the threads of our existence are interwoven by the acts of kindness we bestow upon one another. Whether you actually give the shirt off your back or a simple smile, never underestimate the power of selflessness.
### Which phrase most accurately captures altruism?
- [x] Give the shirt off one’s back
- [ ] Fasten a cowpie to old boots
- [ ] Singing whimsically into a walnut
- [ ] Drawing doodles on denim pockets
> **Explanation:** "Give the shirt off one’s back" epitomizes altruism and self-sacrifice. The others are, let’s agree, less established ways of showing generosity.
### What is the key message of this idiom?
- [x] Ultimate generosity
- [ ] Obsession with fashion
- [ ] Tendency to gamble
- [ ] Love for accessorizing
> **Explanation:** This idiom is all about going to great lengths to help someone, showcasing supreme generosity.
### True or False: "Give the shirt off one’s back" means being overly fashionable.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** This idiom has nothing to do with fashion but everything to do with extreme selflessness and generosity.
### Origin of the idiom "Give the shirt off one’s back" traces back to:
- [ ] A 90's sitcom
- [ ] Shakespeare’s Hamlet
- [ ] A gardening manual
- [x] Tobias Smollett’s novel *Humphry Clinker*
> **Explanation:** Tobias Smollett’s 1771 novel *Humphry Clinker* first recorded the idiom, embedding an act of selflessness in literary history.
