Shirt Meaning
Shirt Definition & Usage
A piece of clothing worn on the upper part of the body, typically with a collar, sleeves, and buttons, made of fabric or other materials.
Examples
- "She wore a blue shirt to the interview."
- "I spilled coffee on my white shirt this morning."
- "He had to iron his shirt before the meeting."
- "My brother's shirt is too tight; he needs a larger size."
- "The shirt was made of soft cotton, perfect for a hot summer day."
To 'shirt' something means to hide or conceal it, often used in the phrase 'shirt it'.
Examples
- "He tried to shirt his emotions, but everyone could tell he was upset."
- "The criminal attempted to shirt the evidence before the police arrived."
- "I had to shirt my disappointment when they announced the decision."
- "She could not shirt her excitement when she won the competition."
- "It’s hard to shirt the truth when the facts are so clear."
Cultural Context
The shirt has been an essential garment for centuries, evolving from simple tunics worn in ancient cultures to the diverse variety of styles we see today. Historically, the shirt was a basic piece of clothing worn underneath other garments, but over time it has become a stand-alone item worn on its own or as part of formal and casual outfits.
The Missing Shirt
Story
The Missing Shirt
It was the morning of the big presentation. Sarah had everything ready: her notes, her slides, and even the coffee she’d made to stay awake. There was just one problem—she couldn’t find her favorite shirt. She had laid it out the night before, a classic white button-down that she knew would impress the clients. Panic set in as she rifled through her closet, tossing aside jackets and sweaters, but the shirt was nowhere to be found. 'Where is it?' she muttered under her breath. She checked her laundry basket, but it wasn’t there either. It had to be somewhere—she couldn't show up in a wrinkled old t-shirt. Then, just as she was about to give up, she noticed the shirt crumpled at the bottom of her laundry pile. Relieved, Sarah quickly ironed it, the soft fabric smoothing out as the steam rose. She slipped it on, buttoning it up carefully. She looked at herself in the mirror—fresh, professional, and ready for the day ahead. At the office, as she presented, Sarah kept her cool, but inside, she was still a bit flustered. It wasn’t the shirt that made her feel confident, but the fact that she could handle the chaos of the morning. Despite the rush, she had kept her composure. Later that day, Sarah found herself back at the office, a little tired from the whirlwind presentation, when her coworker Jack approached. 'How was the presentation?' he asked, looking at her shirt. 'Oh, it went great,' Sarah replied, brushing off the stress. 'But I almost didn’t make it—my shirt went missing this morning.' Jack laughed, 'Guess you could say you were *shirting* your worries.' Sarah smiled. She hadn't realized it until then, but her shirt had been more than just an article of clothing. It had been a shield, a way to cover up her anxiety and project professionalism. And, at least for today, it had worked perfectly.
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