all fur coat and no knickers

Definition

Having a superficially positive appearance that is belied by the reality, e.g., superficially elegant and beautiful but actually common.

Example Sentences

• "A nurse spoke for a number of her colleagues when she said that she felt that these developments were a waste of time and 'all fur coat and no knickers' (personal interview, 1994)."
• "From this viewpoint some forms of Post-Modernism mean new façades for old concepts, dressing the skyscraper, or the vast supermarket in the garb of the tart - 'all fur coat and no knickers'."
• ""What about the wife?" "Bridget. She was all fur coat and no knickers. A real social climber." "But you liked her?" "Yes.""