In my language there is an idiom saying "Clothes make a man" meaning "you are what you wear". That is to say that if you dress up as a wealthy man, people really think you are rich even though you are a beggar, and vice versa, when you are rich but wear shabby clothes, people take you for nothing.
Is there an equivalent in the English language?
2007-02-20 19:01:20 · 5 answers · asked by protbox 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."
2007-02-20 19:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by One 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the same in English. What I can't understand is that many left-wing people dress as though they are left-overs from flower power. I'm an out and out socialist, but when I go to important meetings I put on a suit and people listen to what I have to say. My left-wing colleagues, however, treat me like a member of the bourgeoisie and don't listen to what I'm saying. They just look at my style of dress. I feel comfortable in formal dress if I have to make a presentation. It doesn't mean that I'm a left-over from the Thatcher era.
2007-02-21 07:16:08 · answer #2 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the correct idiom in English would be "clothes make the man."
2007-02-21 03:26:18 · answer #3 · answered by tinkcph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is said the same and means the same in the U.S. However, I have also heard it said, "Clothes don't make the man," which means that what you wear does not change who you are.
2007-02-21 03:14:21 · answer #4 · answered by Lillian L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its said the same and means the same over here in the u.k as well.
2007-02-21 03:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by madmoo0 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋