lose one’s shirt, to
“lose one’s shirt, to” - To lose everything. This term alludes to betting on or investing everything one owns in some venture, but at one time it meant to become very angry (in effect the opposite of “keep your shirt on”). The current cliché, aided and abetted by the Great Depression, is a twentieth-century locution. “He hit the market . . . about the time the bottom dropped out of it. He lost his shirt!” (E. B. Mann, Thirsty Range, 1935).
Related and Similar Terms
- Bet the farm: To gamble everything you have. Think of a cowboy pushing all his chips (and maybe a chicken or two) to the center of the poker table.
- Go for broke: Risk everything in one final effort. Famous last words of anyone who’s ever tried flipping a pancake with a spatula toss.
- All or nothing: Putting everything at stake. Sometimes you wear pants or you end up just hoping for the best with your dignity.
Synonyms
- Lose it all
- Risk the farm
- Be tapped out
Antonyms
- Hit the jackpot
- Make a killing
- Win big
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time.” — Chinese Proverb
- “I’ve upped my standards. Now, up yours.” — Pat Paulsen, comedian (talk about betting on yourself!)
Literary References
- The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky: A classic Russian tale about gambling, fate, and a string of bad luck that’s enough to make anyone want to lose their shirt… and their coat.
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville: Ah, Ahab’s all-in on that blasted whale—just like losing one’s shirt, but with a blubber twist.
Song References
- “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers: Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. Sage advice for shirt-retention.
- “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley: Bright lights promising riches—or driving home in nothing but your underwear.
Movie References
- Casino (1995): A dramatic tale showcasing how even the high rollers can end up losing not just their shirt, but also a whole wardrobe.
- 21 (2008): How to go from geek to reckless spender, featuring lots of money, possibly leading to a shirtless situation.
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Betting the farm
- [ ] Juggling jellybeans
- [ ] Tickling the dragon
- [ ] Weaving spaghetti ropes
> **Explanation:** "Betting the farm" is a known idiom, meaning to risk everything on a venture. The others? Probably methods in toddler trickery.
### Which of these idioms imply a major loss?
- [x] Losing one’s shirt
- [ ] Swimming in success
- [ ] Walking on sunshine
- [ ] Cooking with gas
> **Explanation:** "Losing one’s shirt" signifies a major (and often devastating) financial loss, while the other phrases indicate varying degrees of positive outcomes.
### True or False: "To gamble the house away" means to risk and potentially lose everything.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True indeed! "To gamble the house away" suggests taking extremely high risks that could lead to losing absolutely everything, just like losing your shirt but a tad more home-intrusive.
### The idiom "lose one’s shirt" originated from:
- [ ] The Renaissance Era
- [ ] Victorian England
- [x] The Great Depression
- [ ] Ancient Rome
> **Explanation:** The term "lose one's shirt" became popular during the Great Depression when massive financial losses were common.
### Which phrase is a synonym for "lose one’s shirt"?
- [ ] House of cards
- [x] Be tapped out
- [ ] Break the bank
- [ ] Egg in your face
> **Explanation:** "Be tapped out" means running out of resources or money, similar to losing one's shirt. "House of cards" and "egg in your face" have different meanings, and breaking the bank implies success in gambling rather than extreme loss.
Farewell, dear reader! May this anthology of idioms keep you amused and enlightened, and may you never lose your shirt—unless it’s one of those tacky Hawaiian ones and you’re really better off without it anyway!
Warmest regards,
Wynona Proseplot
