sleeve

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sleeve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the part of a garment which covers a person's arm from the shoulder to the wrist. For example, "She took off her coat, revealing a silk blouse with lace sleeves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Music

Fashion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Call it a sixth sense, but there are moments when Lost in Showbiz feels the hands of its readers tugging imploringly at its sleeve, their faces upturned, their eyes beseeching, an urgent question forming on their lips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nobody seems to know what Buhari has up his sleeve.

The Guardian

Rather than serving either commercial considerations or following the whims of musicians, the work he accomplished as a sleeve designer betrayed a fierce independence, and an obvious belief in art for art's sake.

The Guardian - Music

"In the past I was as guilty as anyone of thinking I would turn my back on R&B and hip-hop because I liked the sincerity of rock'n'roll, which tends to wear its heart on its sleeve.

The Guardian - Music

Or is there still one further trick up Jed Mercurio's sleeve?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But this particular piggy has another trick up its sleeve: Walsh is writing a book.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you're richer still, with a spare £10m up your sleeve you can apply to settle here after just two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Queen Elizabeth rose to speak at last night's state dinner in Dublin Castle, stylish in a white silk crepe state dress and the Queen Mary tiara, she had a little surprise up that shamrock-embroidered sleeve.

The Guardian

All this reached its apogee in 1987, with the sleeve art for Pink Floyd's A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

The Guardian - Music

Wearing your watch over your jumper sleeve As seen on the Louis Vuitton catwalk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually I was forced to seek out bariatric surgery (a gastric sleeve procedure that permanently removes 80% of your stomach).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sleeve" in a figurative sense, like "wearing your heart on your sleeve", ensure the context is clear and the audience understands the idiomatic expression.

Common error

Avoid mixing the literal meaning of "sleeve" (part of a garment) with its idiomatic uses (e.g., "having something up your sleeve") in a way that creates ambiguity or misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The word "sleeve" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the part of a garment that covers the arm. It can also function as part of idiomatic expressions, like the phrase "wearing your heart on your sleeve," which indicates openly displaying emotions. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

15%

Music

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Science

7%

Fashion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "sleeve" is a versatile noun with both literal and figurative applications. It commonly refers to the part of a garment covering the arm, but also appears in idioms such as "wearing your heart on your sleeve" and "having something up your sleeve". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts. Remember to consider the context when using "sleeve" to avoid ambiguity between its literal and idiomatic meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

garment arm covering

Focuses on the function of the sleeve as a covering for the arm in clothing.

part of a shirt

Highlights the "sleeve" as component of shirts, blouses or other garment.

coat arm

Highlights the "sleeve" as component of coats and jackets.

tubular lining

Emphasizes the sleeve's shape and function as a liner.

protective casing

Emphasizes the sleeve's role as a protective layer, especially in mechanical contexts.

record jacket

Refers specifically to the sleeve protecting a vinyl record.

arm tattoo

Highlights the sleeve as a large tattoo covering the entire arm.

showing emotions openly

Describes wearing one's heart on their sleeve.

narrow waterway

Focuses on the sleeve as a geographical feature, a small channel of water.

long cookies bag

Refers specifically to the sleeve as container of sweets or snacks.

FAQs

How to use "sleeve" in a sentence?

You can use "sleeve" to refer to the part of a garment that covers the arm, such as "The button came off my "coat sleeve"". It can also be used in idioms like "He has an ace up his "sleeve"".

What does it mean to "wear your heart on your sleeve"?

To "wear your heart on your "sleeve"" means to openly and honestly display your emotions and feelings, often vulnerability.

What are some synonyms for "sleeve" when referring to clothing?

While there isn't a direct synonym for "sleeve" in the context of clothing, you could describe the type of sleeve, such as "long sleeve" or "short sleeve", or refer to the garment part like "arm covering".

What does it mean to have something "up your sleeve"?

To have something "up your "sleeve"" means to have a secret plan or advantage that you are keeping hidden until the right moment.