ne'er cast a clout till May be out
Do not change from winter clothes to summer clothes until June, as there is often a sudden cold snap in May.
Leave not off a Clout, / Till May be out.
clout
/klaʊt/
verb 6noun 5
Collocations
4(noun.)
ADJ
considerable, enormous
The new CEO has considerable clout in making decisions about the company's future.
economic, financial, political
The tech industry has gained considerable economic clout in shaping government policy.
VERB + CLOUT
carry, have, wield
The new CEO carries significant clout in boardroom decisions.
exercise, use
Local business owners exercised their clout to stop the highway project in their neighborhood.
Definitions
noun
1
Influence or effectiveness, especially political.
Having relinquished his clout in City Council to run for a place on the county board, and having lost stature by reason of his failure to win the presidency, Duffy was in no position to seek the party chairmanship for himself
[…]ethics officers themselves often complain that they can recommend but have little clout with which to create real change.
2
A blow with the hand.
‘Such a clout on the ear as you gave me… But I soon taught you.’
One of her goons gave him a clout on the ear.
3
A home run.
'... allowed Boston to score all of its runs on homers, including a pair of clouts by Jacoby Ellsbury ...'
4
The center of the butt at which archers shoot; probably once a piece of white cloth or a nail head.
For kings are clouts that euery man ſhoots at, Our Crowne the pin that thouſands ſeeke to cleaue.
A’ must shoot nearer or he’ll ne’er hit the clout.
5
A swaddling cloth.
When a new-hatched savage running wild about his native woodlands in a grass clout, followed by the nibbling goats, as if he were a green sapling; even then, in Queequeg’s ambitious soul, lurked a strong desire to see something more of Christendom than a specimen whaler or two.
verb
1
To hit (someone or something), especially with the fist.
The wolde ſome mayſter perhappes clowt ye / But as for me ye nede nat doute ye / For I had leuer be without ye / Then haue ſuche beſyneſſe aboute ye.
A wizard? Him? How could he possibly be? He'd spent his life being clouted by Dudley, and bullied by Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon; if he was really a wizard, why hadn't they been turned into warty toads every time they'd tried to lock him in his cupboard?
2
To cover with cloth, leather, or other material; to bandage, patch, or mend with a clout.
Paul, yea, and Peter, too, had more skill in mending an old net, and in clouting an old tent than to teach lawyers what diligence they should use in the expedition of matters.
3
To stud with nails, as a timber, or a boot sole.
4
To guard with an iron plate, as an axletree.
5
To join or patch clumsily.
if fond Bavius vent his clouted song
verb
1
Dated form of clot.
He tells us how to butter eggs, boil eels, clout cream, stew capons, how to make a fine cake, an almond pudding and a raspberry conserve, […]
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
cast not a clout till May be out
Alternative form of ne'er cast a clout till May be out.
clout list
A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with tho
By the way, joining Ronan in the move from "10 worst" to the clout list is his on-and-off nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Example Bank
601
Having relinquished his clout in City Council to run for a place on the county board, and having lost stature by reason of his failure to win the presidency, Duffy was in no position to seek the party
Wiktionary02
[…]ethics officers themselves often complain that they can recommend but have little clout with which to create real change.
Wiktionary03
The chopped mushrooms add depth to both the Waitrose and the Go-Go Vegan recipe, but what gives the latter some real clout on the flavour front is a teaspoon of Marmite.
Wiktionary04
The wolde ſome mayſter perhappes clowt ye / But as for me ye nede nat doute ye / For I had leuer be without ye / Then haue ſuche beſyneſſe aboute ye.
Wiktionary05
A wizard? Him? How could he possibly be? He'd spent his life being clouted by Dudley, and bullied by Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon; if he was really a wizard, why hadn't they been turned into warty to
Wiktionary06
Paul, yea, and Peter, too, had more skill in mending an old net, and in clouting an old tent than to teach lawyers what diligence they should use in the expedition of matters.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
i Register
In some senses, clout is marked as informal, dated. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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