keep one's shirt on
Don't lose composure
To keep one's shirt on is to stay calm and be patient, especially when provoked or impatient: Keep your shirt on—I'll be ready in five minutes.
The expression suggests someone so agitated they might strip for a fight.
Usually appears as a command to someone who's getting worked up.
- take a chill pillAdvice to de-stress
- cool your jetsCommand to calm oneself
- simmer downBecome less agitated
- hold your horsesRequest for patience
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
self-control · hang tight · easy does it · equanimity · tolerance · calmness · placidity · level-headedness · bite your tongue · serenity · tranquility · temperance · steadiness · restraint · cool it · stay calm · count to ten · moderation
keep one's shirt onlose one's temper
React with sudden anger
blow one's top · fly off the handle · lose one's cool · blow a fuse · hit the roof
keep one's shirt onact out
Perform or misbehave
lash out · go off · make a scene · throw a tantrum · rant and rave
keep, shirt, keeps, keeping, kept, keeper, keepers, ones, shirts