Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

all fur coat and no knickers

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.90 in modern English

Syllables: al-l -fur -coat and no knick-ers
IPA

39

Scrabble Score

23

Letters

5

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having a superficially positive appearance that is belied by the reality, e.g., superficially elegant and beautiful but actually common.

British usage; Derogatory

Example Sentences

"A nurse spoke for a number of her colleagues when she said that she felt that these developments were a waste of time and 'all fur coat and no knickers' (personal interview, 1994)."
"From this viewpoint some forms of Post-Modernism mean new façades for old concepts, dressing the skyscraper, or the vast supermarket in the garb of the tart - 'all fur coat and no knickers'."
""What about the wife?" "Bridget. She was all fur coat and no knickers. A real social climber." "But you liked her?" "Yes.""

Usage

British usage
Derogatory

Phrases

all hat and no cattle all hat and no cowboy beauty is only skin deep mutton dressed as lamb

Frequently Paired Words

all hat and no cattle all hat and no cowboy beauty is only skin deep mutton dressed as lamb

Synonyms

all fur and no knickers

Questions

What does all fur coat and no knickers mean?: Having a superficially positive appearance that is belied by the reality, e.g., superficially elegant and beautiful but actually common.

How to pronounce all fur coat and no knickers

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