best bib and tucker

Idioms  

1. One's finest clothes, dressed up, as in The men were told to put on their best bib and tucker for the dinner dance. Although wearing either a bib (frill at front of a man's shirt) or a tucker (ornamental lace covering a woman's neck and shoulders) is obsolete, the phrase survives. [Mid-1700s] For a synonym, see Sunday best.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

best bib and tucker

Melbourne proudly put on its best bib and tucker for the local girl who made good.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nobody put him up to riggin' out in his best bib and tucker and sneakin' here the minute I was out of the house.

From Keziah Coffin by Joseph Crosby Lincoln

"And with its best bib and tucker on, if I am any judge of la toilette," said Lionel.

From A Heart-Song of To-day by Annie Gregg Savigny

Tell him you are a-going to put on your best bib and tucker and it'll start the notion in him to keep you company.

From The Road to Providence by Maria Thompson Daviess

Her hansom is at the door and, arrayed in her best bib and tucker, she is hurrying through the hall when Dysart, who has just come, presents himself.

From April's Lady A Novel by Margaret Wolfe Hungerford