Definition
To become angry or annoyed; to lose one's temper.
Origins
From the custom of taking one's shirt off before fighting (after becoming annoyed).
In Context
- ""All right, sir, all right," said Chizzlem, lighting a huge cigar; "there it is, don't get your shirt out about it. I daresay I'll get along well enough without you. Though why you should be ashamed at what some of the flyest men do regularly, I can't tell.""
- "I dare him, says he, and I doubledare him to send you round here again or if he does, says he, I'll have him summonsed up before the court, so I will, for trading without a licence. And he after stuffing himself till he's fit to burst. Jesus, I had to laugh at the little jewy getting his shirt out."
See Also
- keep one's shirt on
- shirty