reach-me-down
LowInformal, archaic
Definition
Meaning
Ready-made or second-hand clothing.
Anything obtained cheaply, easily, or in a makeshift manner; often implying inferior quality or lack of customisation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a British term from the late 19th/early 20th century, now largely obsolete. The literal sense refers to clothing sold "off the rack" (as opposed to tailored). The figurative sense connotes something cheap, easily acquired, or not specifically fitted to the user's needs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was historically used in British English. American English never adopted it; the equivalent would be 'hand-me-down' (for second-hand clothing) or 'ready-made'/'off-the-rack'.
Connotations
In historical UK usage, it often carried a class-related, slightly pejorative connotation of poverty or lack of refinement. In modern usage (if used at all), it is a consciously archaic, nostalgic term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech or writing in both dialects. Found almost exclusively in historical novels or discussions of historical fashion.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] a reach-me-down [noun]dressed in reach-me-downsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this archaic term.”
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Used in historical/sociological texts discussing class and consumption in the Victorian/Edwardian era.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
In historical costuming or vintage clothing circles, as a period-specific term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He wore a shabby, reach-me-down suit to the interview.
- The theory was just a reach-me-down philosophy he'd picked up somewhere.
American English
- (Not used. Substitute: He wore a shabby, hand-me-down suit to the interview.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old photograph, the children were dressed in obvious reach-me-downs.
- He disliked the reach-me-down furniture in his rented flat.
- The aristocrat sneered at the nouveau riche family's reach-me-down manners, acquired rather than inherited.
- The policy was criticised as a reach-me-down solution, clumsily adapted from another country's model.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a shop assistant reaching down a pre-made suit from a high shelf to sell to you cheaply – a REACH-ME-DOWN.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS STATUS (ill-fitting, mass-produced clothing metaphorically represents lower social standing).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "достать" (to get/procure). It does not mean "something you can reach". The closest Russian equivalent in sense is "готовая одежда" or "с чужого плеча".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern contexts expecting it to be understood.
- Confusing it with 'hand-me-down' (which is still current, especially in AmE).
Practice
Quiz
'Reach-me-down' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. You might encounter it in historical fiction or non-fiction, but it is not part of modern active vocabulary.
'Hand-me-down' specifically means an item passed down from an older sibling or person. 'Reach-me-down' originally meant cheap, ready-made clothing bought new from a store, though it later broadened to include second-hand items. 'Hand-me-down' remains in common use (especially in AmE); 'reach-me-down' is obsolete.
Yes, in its historical context, it could describe ideas, manners, or anything else perceived as cheaply acquired, unoriginal, or not properly tailored to the situation.
Language evolves. The rise of ready-made clothing as the norm (not a marker of poverty) and the dominance of the American term 'hand-me-down' likely contributed to its obsolescence.