Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WIDEN, v. Sc. fig. usage in phr. to widen one's jacket, to broaden one's experience or outlook.Sc. 1928 D. Carswell Brother Scots 133:
John [Stuart Blackie] continued to be too religious and moody for his father's taste, and the desperate course was taken of sending him into Germany “to have his jacket widened,” as it was expressed.
