Ditch the wingtips
/dɪtʃ ðə ˈwɪŋtɪps/
B2
Definition
This phrase means to get rid of or stop using "wingtip" shoes, which are a type of formal leather shoe with decorative patterns on the toe shaped like wings. "Ditch" means to throw away or leave something behind. Together, it suggests changing from formal to casual style or comfort.
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⚡ See It in Action
Stop wearing formal dress shoes (wingtips)
- •After work, he ditched the wingtips for sneakers.
- •She decided to ditch the wingtips and wear flats to the party.
- •The office dress code relaxed, so many ditched the wingtips.
More generally, choose a casual or relaxed style over formal clothing
- •It's time to ditch the wingtips and dress more comfortably.
- •When working from home, ditch the wingtips and wear slippers.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ditch the wingtips" like "stop wearing fancy shoes," but with a stronger, more casual tone—like deciding to be more relaxed.
- ✓Picture someone taking off shiny, hard dress shoes and putting on soft, casual sneakers.
- ✓It's the feeling of relief when you take off uncomfortable shoes after a long day.
- ✓Sounds like "ditch" (throw away) + "wingtips" (shoes with wing shapes) → imagine throwing away shoes shaped like wings to feel free.
- ✓Imagine a story where a person at a formal party decides to leave their strict dress code and dance in comfortable shoes.
- ✓NOT like "wearing wingtips" (formal, stiff), "ditch the wingtips" means to stop that and be casual.
- ✓NOT like "putting on wingtips" (starting formal), this phrase means the opposite—removing formality.
- ✓NOT like "change shoes" in general, this phrase specifically means abandoning a formal style.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Take off the wingtips: meaning to remove the shoes (Use when focusing on physically removing shoes, less about style change)
- •Lose the dress shoes: meaning to stop wearing formal shoes (Use when emphasizing giving up formal footwear)
- •Go casual: meaning to dress in a relaxed way (Use when focusing on overall style, not just shoes)
- •Skip the wingtips: meaning to avoid wearing formal shoes (Use when deciding not to wear them at all)
🔍 Unboxing
- •"ditch" = informal verb meaning to get rid of or leave behind something unwanted
- •"the" = article pointing to specific wingtips (shoes)
- •"wingtips" = plural noun for a type of formal shoe with decorative wing-shaped patterns on the toe
- •Etymology: "ditch" comes from old English meaning to dig a trench or leave behind; now used informally for "throw away"
- •"wingtip" comes from the wing-shaped design on the shoe toe, first used in early 1900s
- •The phrase is modern and informal, often used in fashion or lifestyle advice to suggest relaxing dress codes
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When might it be good to "ditch the wingtips" in your own life? What feelings come with choosing comfort over formality?
•How does changing from formal to casual clothing affect the way people see you or how you feel about yourself?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.After a long day at work, many people ditch the wingtips ___ to feel more comfortable.
2.The phrase "ditch the wingtips" suggests moving from formal shoes to ___ footwear.
3.When you ditch the wingtips, you usually ___ the formal style for something more relaxed.
4.People often ditch the wingtips when the dress code ___ from strict to casual.
5.To ditch the wingtips is NOT the same as ___ on formal shoes again.
6.She ditched the wingtips and ___ on sneakers before going out for a walk.
7.When someone says "ditch the wingtips," you can infer they want to ___ the formal look.