hair shirt
Plural
hair shirts
1
something extremely hard that one goes through, often as a punishment
The origin of the idiom "hair shirt" can be traced back to religious practices and traditions that date back centuries. The practice of wearing a hair shirt as a form of penance or self-mortification was prevalent in various religious orders, particularly in medieval Christianity. The use of a hair shirt was seen as a way to demonstrate humility, repentance, and spiritual discipline.
- I understand that you are sorry for your actions, but there is no need to wear a hair shirt because of it.All is forgiven.
- Leonard's putting on the hair shirt while he waits this thing out.
- Oh, it's my punishment—my hair shirt, if you will—for blowing off my schoolwork this week.
2
an uncomfortable shirt made of coarse animal hair; worn next to the skin as a penance