Idiom Origins - Dyed-in-the-wool - History of Dyed-in-the-wool

Dyed-in-the-wool

Meanings and origins of thousands of idioms, curious words, and slang.

Origin of: Dyed-in-the-wool

Dyed-in-the-wool

This expression describes an attitude or person that is staunch and unbending and dates from the 17th century when it originally referred to wool that is dyed in its raw, natural state. Wool dyed in this manner retains its colour far better than when dyed in its fabric state.