shirt-sleeve

or shirt·sleeve, shirt-sleeved, shirt-sleeves

[ shurt-sleev ]

adjective

1. not wearing a jacket; informally dressed:

   a shirt-sleeve mob.

2. warm enough to live or work in without wearing a jacket or coat:

   shirt-sleeve weather in November.

3. simple, plain, and informal; direct and straightforward in approach, manner, etc.:

   shirt-sleeve diplomacy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirt-sleeve¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

In a surprising gesture, the bespectacled monarch was seen seated in a chair, coat off, suspenders showing, and shirt-sleeve rolled up, with his arm at the ready to donate blood.

From Washington Times

The afternoon’s high, which enabled relaxed shirt-sleeve strolling, was reached after a 27-degree climb from the morning low of 49.

From Washington Post

As he spoke he took off his coat and rolled up his shirt-sleeve.

From Literature

As he spoke, he was dipping into his bag and producing the instruments for transfusion; I had taken off my coat and rolled up my shirt-sleeve.

From Literature

The slider spun and hung in the middle of the plate, where Voit and his shirt-sleeve ripping arms were happily waiting to pounce on the gift.

From Seattle Times