black tie

The expression black tie is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the black tie idiom.

Meaning of "black tie"

Meaning

The phrase “black tie” has two distinct uses. As an adjective, it is used to refer to formal social events, typically at evening time. It is often used to specify what kind of attire is expected of the attendees or guests. As an idiom, it means to dress up, typically wearing evening formal attire, or the highest level of formal attire.

Etymology

The term “black tie” was first used in the late 19th century as an indicator of proper evening attire for men. By the mid-20th century, it had come to stand for the highest level of formal dress for evening events.

Usage

The term “black tie” is most commonly used when referring to formal events, such as a wedding or a gala. It is also used in literature to describe a situation that requires the best dress. It can also be used as an imperative verb, as in, “You must wear a black tie.”

Example Sentences

• We are attending a black tie event tonight and need to be sure we are dressed appropriately.
• The invitation specified that the event is black tie, so you'll need to wear a tuxedo.
• John didn't realize that it was a black tie affair, so he showed up wearing jeans.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.