Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes’ mean?
The idiom "Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes" refers to one's best or finest clothing, typically worn on special or formal occasions, such as going to church. It implies dressing up to show respect or make a good impression.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "the cat's pyjamas" means something or someone that is considered to be wonderful, outstanding or excellent.
The idiom "the cat's pajamas" is used to describe something or someone who is highly admired, stylish, or impressive. It conveys a sense of excellence or being top-notch.
An idiom used to emphasize the extreme or exceptional quality of someone or something.
The idiom "take one's leave" means to say goodbye or depart from a place or a person.
The idiom "take one's hat off to" means to show admiration or respect for someone's achievement or actions.
The idiom "take care of business" means to handle or complete necessary tasks or responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
The idiom "Sunday best" refers to one's most formal or best attire or clothing, typically worn on Sundays or for special occasions.
The idiom "suit down to the ground" means that something is very suitable or appropriate for someone. It suggests a perfect match or fit between a person and a particular situation.
The idiom "strut one's stuff" means to show off one's abilities or talents confidently and proudly. It implies a sense of self-assurance and a desire to impress others with one's skills or accomplishments.
Sunday Chic
The idiom "Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes" has its origins in American English. It is commonly used to refer to one's best or most formal attire, typically worn for special occasions or events. There are a few theories about the origin of this idiom. One theory suggests that the idiom is derived from the practice of dressing up in one's best clothes for church on Sundays. Individuals would often wear their finest garments to show respect and reverence. Another theory proposes that the idiom may have originated from the tradition of wearing formal clothing for meetings or gatherings that took place specifically on Sundays. People would dress in their best clothes as a sign of respect and decorum. The idiom is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to denote dressing up formally for any special occasion, not necessarily limited to religious or Sunday-related events. The idiom has also undergone some variations in usage, such as "Sunday clothes" or "Sunday best," which convey the same meaning without explicitly referencing a religious or Sunday context. The idiom "Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes" exemplifies the colorful and metaphorical nature of idiomatic expressions in the English language, capturing the cultural and historical significance of dressing up in one's finest attire.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes* can be used in a sentence:
- He always dresses in his Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes for important business meetings.
- She wore her best Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes to the wedding.
- My grandmother always put on her Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes when she went to church.