give the shirt off back

give (someone) the shirt off (one's) back

To act in a very generous and selfless manner. I'm not surprised that Tammy loaned you money—she would give anyone the shirt off her back.See also: back, give, off, shirt

give someone the shirt off one's back

Fig. to give anything that is asked for, no matter the sacrifice required. Tom would give any of his old army buddies the shirt off his back. You can always count on Mark when you're in trouble; he'd give you the shirt off his back.See also: back, give, off, shirt

give the shirt off one's back, to

To give one’s all; the ultimate in generosity. This hyperbole appeared in Tobias Smollett’s novel of 1771, Humphry Clinker, and has been employed ever since. Elinor Wylie used it in her ironic poem “Portrait in Black Paint”: “She’d give the shirt from off her back except that she doesn’t wear a shirt.”See also: give, off, shirt