subs. phr. (common).—In pl. = second-hand or ready-made clothes: also HAND-ME-DOWNS: Fr. décrochez-moi-ça. Also as adj.
1860. THACKERAY, The Adventures of Philip, xxiv. In the Palais Royal they hang out the most splendid REACH-ME-DOWN dressing-gowns, waistcoats, and so forth.
1875. BESANT and RICE, Harp and Crown, xv. The capitalist who can afford two new pairs of second-hand machine-made REACH-ME-DOWNS in a single winter. Where is he, I say?
1888. W. S. CAINE, A Trip Round the World in 1887–8, xii. The gentlemen attire themselves in ready-made ‘REACH-ME-DOWNS’ of black cloth, shiny patent-leather shoes, and round pot-hats.
