sleeve

[sleev] /sliv/
noun
1.
the part of a garment that covers the arm, varying in form and length but commonly tubular.
2.
an envelope, usually of paper, for protecting a phonograph record.
3.
Machinery. a tubular piece, as of metal, fitting over a rod or the like.
verb (used with object), sleeved, sleeving.
4.
to furnish with sleeves.
5.
Machinery. to fit with a sleeve; join or fasten by means of a sleeve.
Idioms
6.
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.
7.
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
before 950; Middle English sleve, Old English slēfe (Anglian), slīefe; akin to Dutch sloof apron
Related forms
sleevelike, adjective
unsleeved, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for laugh up one's sleeve

sleeve

/sliːv/
noun
1.
the part of a garment covering the arm
2.
a tubular piece that is forced or shrunk into a cylindrical bore to reduce the diameter of the bore or to line it with a different material; liner
3.
a tube fitted externally over two cylindrical parts in order to join them; bush
4.
a flat cardboard or plastic container to protect a gramophone record US name jacket
5.
roll up one's sleeves, to prepare oneself for work, a fight, etc
6.
up one's sleeve, secretly ready
verb
7.
(transitive) to provide with a sleeve or sleeves
Derived Forms
sleeveless, adjective
sleevelike, adjective
Word Origin
Old English slīf, slēf; related to Dutch sloof apron
Word Origin and History for laugh up one's sleeve

sleeve

n.

Old English sliefe (West Saxon), slefe (Mercian) "arm-covering part of a garment," probably literally "that into which the arm slips," from Proto-Germanic *slaubjon (cf. Middle Low German sloven "to dress carelessly," Old High German sloufen "to put on or off"). Related to Old English slefan, sliefan "to slip on (clothes)" and slupan "to slip, glide," from PIE root *sleubh- "to slide, slip."

Cf. slipper, Old English slefescoh "slipper," slip (n.) "woman's garment," and expression to slip into "to dress in"). Mechanical sense is attested from 1864. To have something up one's sleeve is recorded from c.1500 (large sleeves formerly doubled as pockets). Meaning "the English Channel" translates French La Manche.

laugh up one's sleeve in Culture

laugh up one's sleeve definition


To be secretly amused at something: “Arnie acted concerned over our plight, but we knew he was laughing up his sleeve.”

Slang definitions & phrases for laugh up one's sleeve

laugh up one's sleeve

verb phrase

To laugh covertly: After you had that accident she was laughing up her sleeve (1560+)


sleeve

Related Terms

ace up one's sleeve, put the arm on someone


Idioms and Phrases with laugh up one's sleeve

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.

sleeve

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