Phrase guide

tidy one's sock drawer

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To do, or supposedly do, a mundane and unimportant activity as an excuse to avoid something onerous or unappealing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • My tax return has to be completed today, but I feel a sudden urge to tidy my sock drawer.
  • That guy at work asked me to a party on Saturday, but I think I'm tidying my sock drawer that night.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tidy, one's, sock, drawer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.