sleeve
[ sleev ]
/ sliv /
noun
the part of a garment that covers the arm, varying in form and length but commonly tubular.
an envelope, usually of paper, for protecting a phonograph record.
Machinery.
a tubular piece, as of metal, fitting over a rod or the like.
verb (used with object), sleeved, sleev·ing.
to furnish with sleeves.
Machinery.
to fit with a sleeve; join or fasten by means of a sleeve.
Idioms for sleeve
have something up one's sleeve,
to have a secret plan, scheme, opinion, or the like: I could tell by her sly look that she had something up her sleeve.
laugh up/in one's sleeve,
to be secretly amused or contemptuous; laugh inwardly: to laugh up one's sleeve at someone's affectations.
Origin of sleeve
before 950; Middle English
sleve, Old English
slēfe (Anglian),
slīefe; akin to Dutch
sloof apron
OTHER WORDS FROM sleeve
sleeve·like, adjective un·sleeved, adjectiveWords nearby sleeve
British Dictionary definitions for laugh up one's sleeve
sleeve
/ (sliːv) /
noun
verb
(tr)
to provide with a sleeve or sleeves
Derived forms of sleeve
sleeveless, adjective sleevelike, adjectiveWord Origin for sleeve
Old English
slīf, slēf; related to Dutch
sloof apron
Cultural definitions for laugh up one's sleeve
laugh up one's sleeve
To be secretly amused at something: “Arnie acted concerned over our plight, but we knew he was laughing up his sleeve.”
Idioms and Phrases with laugh up one's sleeve (1 of 2)
laugh up one's sleeve
Rejoice or exult secretly, hide one's amusement, as in When she tripped over her bridal train, her sister couldn't help laughing up her sleeve. This expression replaced the earlier laugh in one's sleeve, used by Richard Sheridan in The Rivals (1775): “'Tis false, sir, I know you are laughing in your sleeve.” The expression, which alludes to hiding one's laughter in big loose sleeves, was already a proverb in the mid-1500s.
Idioms and Phrases with laugh up one's sleeve (2 of 2)
sleeve
see card up one's sleeve; laugh up one's sleeve; roll up one's sleeves; wear one's heart on one's sleeve.