E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Coat.
Cut your coat according to your cloth. Curtail your expenses to the amount of your income; live within your means. Si non possis quod velis, velis id quod possis.
1
Near is my coat, but nearer is my skin. “Tunica pallo propior est.” “Ego proximus inihi.”
2
To baste one’s coat. To dust his jacket; to beat him.
3
To wear the king’s coat. To be a soldier.
4
Turning one’s coat for luck. It was an ancient superstition that this was a charm against evil spirits. (See TURNCOAT.)
o propior est.” “Ego proximus inihi.”
