sleeve (redirected from sleeving)

be laughing up your sleeve

to laugh at someone secretly, often in an unkind way. He persuaded people to believe in him and all the time he was laughing up his sleeve at them. (often + at)

See also: laugh

have a card up your sleeve

to have an advantage that other people do not know about. I still had a card up my sleeve in the form of a letter from his father.

See also: card

have an ace up your sleeve

to have an advantage that other people do not know about. The new game show has an ace up its sleeve. It will allow viewers to play from home and win prizes.

See also: ace

have something up your sleeve

to have a secret idea or plan. If this trip doesn't work out I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve.

roll your sleeves up

to prepare for hard work. Our local team need to roll their sleeves up and put a bit more effort into their football.

See also: roll

wear your heart on your sleeve

to make your feelings and opinions obvious to other people. John's always worn his heart on his sleeve, so there's no doubt who he'll be supporting.

See also: heart, wear

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roll up your sleeves

to prepare for hard work. After the election, the mayor rolled up his sleeves and began immediately to put his promises into action.

Etymology: based on the idea that people often literally roll up their sleeves before doing difficult physical work

See also: roll

something up your sleeve

something secret you can use. If this plan doesn't work out I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve.

Usage notes: ften used in the forms the card up your sleeve or the ace up your sleeve a secret advantage you can use: That recommendation from my teacher was the ace up my sleeve.

wear your heart on your sleeve

to show your feelings, esp. your love for someone. You always know where John stands because he wears his heart on his sleeve.

wear something on your sleeve

See also: heart, wear

wear something on your sleeve

to make your feelings or beliefs known to everyone. Some people feel the need to wear their patriotism on their sleeve.

Usage notes: often used in the form wear your heart on your sleeve to make your emotions known to others: I don't like wearing my heart on my sleeve.

See also: wear