Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

wear-a-hair-shirt

idiom

/wɛr ə hɛr ʃɜrt/

Definition

To adopt a lifestyle of self-denial and austerity, often for religious or moral reasons.

Examples

After the scandal, he decided to wear-a-hair-shirt and give up all his luxuries.
Many believe that to truly repent, one must wear-a-hair-shirt for their past mistakes.

Meaning

The phrase comes from the practice of wearing a hair shirt, which is a rough garment made of animal hair, traditionally worn by ascetics as a form of penance.