drape

drape (oneself) in the flag

To make a display of oneself as overtly patriotic or doing something to benefit one's country (often when in fact one is doing it for personal gain). He may act like he's draping himself in the flag by getting manufacturers to stay in our country, but I also know that he stands to make a lot of money from such an arrangement. In this part of the country, it's just a smart business decision to drape yourself in the flag. I grew up with TJ, and I know he's not just draping himself in the flag here. He comes from a military family and has always volunteered with veterans.
See also: drape, flag

drape (someone or something) in (something)

To loosely place something over someone or something. We draped the couch in a sheet to keep it from getting damaged in the move. I can't tell what they're bringing in because they've draped it in drop cloths. I draped the mannequin in fabric to see if my dress idea would theoretically work.
See also: drape

drape (someone or something) with (something)

To cover someone or something with something. We draped the couch with a sheet to keep it from getting damaged or stained in the move. I can't tell what they're bringing in because they've draped it with drop cloths. I draped the mannequin with fabric to see if my dress idea would theoretically work.
See also: drape

drape (something or oneself) over (someone or something)

1. To lay on a piece of furniture, usually with one's limbs splayed. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "drape" and "over." John came in and draped himself over the sofa while moaning about his ex-girlfriend. I was so exhausted from traveling that I draped myself over the bed as soon as I got to my hotel room. I was mortified as my kids draped themselves all over the neighbor's furniture without hesitation.
2. To loosely place something over someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "drape" and "over." It wasn't as cold out when I left the theater, so I just draped my coat over my shoulders. I draped my fabric over the mannequin to see if my dress idea would theoretically work. Yeah, you dozed off on the couch, so I just draped a blanket over you and let you be.
See also: drape, over

drape (something) around (someone or something)

To loosely place something over someone or something. It wasn't as cold out when I left the theater, so I just draped my coat around my shoulders. I draped my fabric over the mannequin to see if my dress idea would theoretically work. We draped a sheet around the couch to keep it from getting damaged or stained in the move.
See also: around, drape

measure for drapes

To begin planning or preparing to replace someone in a job or position before one has actually secured the role, especially during a political election. The senator has been criticized as measuring for drapes in the Oval Office with a month still to go before the votes will be tallied.
See also: drape, for, measure

measure the drapes

To begin planning or preparing to replace someone in a job or position before one has actually secured the role, especially during a political election. The senator has been criticized for measuring the drapes in the Oval Office with a month still to go before the votes will be tallied.
See also: drape, measure

the carpet matches the drapes

vulgar slang The color of the hair on a woman's head is the same as the color of her pubic hair. Used to imply that the color of a woman's hair has not been dyed. Often used in negative constructions or in the form of a question. The ugliest question I get on my blog, and I get it all the time, is, "Does the carpet match the drapes?" A: "I've always admired that actress's stunning red hair." B: "Well, I've heard that the carpet doesn't match the drapes, if you catch my drift." I've always been proud of my platinum blond hair. And yes, the carpet matches the drapes.
See also: carpet, drape, match

the carpets match the drapes

vulgar slang The color of the hair on a woman's head is the same as the color of her pubic hair. Used to imply that the color of a woman's hair has not been dyed. Often used in negative constructions or in the form of a question. The ugliest question I get on my blog, and I get it all the time, is, "Do the carpets match the drapes?" A: "I've always admired that actress's stunning red hair." B: "Well, I've heard that the carpets don't match the drapes, if you catch my drift." I've always been proud of my platinum blond hair. And yes, the carpets match the drapes.
See also: carpet, drape, match

the drapes match the carpet

vulgar slang The color of the hair on a woman's head is the same as the color of her pubic hair. Used to imply that the color of a woman's hair has not been dyed. Often used in negative constructions or in the form of a question. The ugliest question I get on my blog, and I get it all the time, is, "Do the drapes match the carpet?" A: "I've always admired that actress's stunning red hair." B: "Well, I've heard that the drapes don't match the carpet, if you catch my drift." I've always been proud of my platinum blond hair. And yes, the drapes match the carpet.
See also: carpet, drape, match
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

drape oneself over something

to sprawl on a piece of furniture. He draped himself over the armchair and dropped off to sleep. He came in and casually draped himself over grandmother's antique chair.
See also: drape, over

drape over (something)

[for cloth] to cover something and hang down. The robe draped over her knees, but she was still cold. The tablecloth draped over and reached down to the floor.
See also: drape, over

drape someone or something in something

to wrap or cover someone or something in something. They draped her in golden silks, but she still looked like a country girl. They draped the tables in polka-dot cloth for the party.
See also: drape

drape someone or something with something

to hang something on or over someone or something. They draped each guest with a makeshift toga. They draped the statue with a brightly colored loincloth.
See also: drape

drape something around someone or something

to wrap or hang something around someone or something. She draped the shawl around her shoulders and felt a little warmer. Mother draped a towel around Timmy after his bath.
See also: around, drape
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

wrap yourself in the flag

or

drape yourself in the flag

mainly AMERICAN
If someone, especially a politician, wraps themselves in the flag or drapes themselves in the flag, they try to do something for their own advantage while pretending to do it for the good of their country. Politicians always try to wrap themselves in the flag on Independence Day, but I think most people can see through that. He criticized advertisers for fighting proposed cigarette ad restrictions by draping themselves in the flag and lecturing about their First Amendment freedoms of speech.
See also: flag, wrap
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

wrap yourself in the flag

make an excessive show of your patriotism, especially for political ends. chiefly North American
1993 Globe & Mail (Canada) For a politician at election time, wrapping oneself in the Canadian flag is a reflex action, as irresistible as bussing a baby.
See also: flag, wrap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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