off the rack

off the rack

Of clothes, mass-produced and ready to wear. Often hyphenated. Primarily heard in US. You can find really stylish clothes off the peg, if you look hard enough. Don't show up to the interview in some off-the-rack suit—you need to spend a bit more money if you want to impress them.
See also: off, rack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

off the rack

Ready-made, as in She has all her clothes made; she never buys a dress off the rack. The rack here is a frame from which clothes are hung. [Mid-1900s] A British synonym is off the peg, similarly alluding to a knob from which clothes are hung and dating from the late 1800s. Also see off the shelf.
See also: off, rack
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

off-the-rack

Off-the-rack clothes are made in large numbers and sent to shops, not made specially for a particular person. We want to improve the fit of off-the-rack items. Note: You can say that people buy clothes off the rack. He was wearing a blue two-piece suit that had obviously been bought off the rack when he was several pounds lighter.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

off the rack

Ready-made. Used of clothing.
See also: off, rack
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • off the peg
  • off-the-peg
  • off-the-rack
  • in the nude
  • roast-meat clothes
  • higher than a cat's back
  • get (one's) kit off
  • get your kit off
  • go like a rocket
  • hand down from (someone) to (one)
References in periodicals archive
In fact, he says he buys all of his suits off the rack. But he does live by one fashion rule: With "a clean shirt and a tie, and a good shine [on your shoes], you can fake it anytime you want," he says.
10 Most Stylish Men
| Get fitted for a bespoke cheongsam (or buy one off the rack) at Linva Tailor on Cochrane Street, one of Hong Kong's best tailors of beautiful silk cheongsams.
News /Guide to making the most of Hong Kong
If creative isn't your strength, do your research online, find a character that appeals to you, then book an appointment with Bella Beauty College in Corpus Christi to have the stylists accessorize that off the rack costume into something truly special.
Making That Halloween Costume Original Requires a Little Thought -- and an Artist at the Leading Cosmetology School in Corpus Christi
But even as citizens are grabbing the new dailies off the rack and clearing their throats to be heard louder, the country's problems are escalating as 13 boys died in a fire at a mosque in Yangon, the cause of the fire stoked by conflicting theories and licking at the raw wounds of the ongoing Buddhist-Muslim ethnic conflict.
Myanmar press freedom a step in right direction
Take a look at Euro mounts--they make for a clean wall presentation, age well and show off the rack like no other mount So what's not to like about traditional Euro mounts?
Head games
Custom tailored suits for men are more affordable than you think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>They also have important advantages over off the rack clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>
Custom Tailored Suits For Men: Are They Right For You?
you might have to take this one off the rack. What if I turn up and there are seven girls in it?"
put a TOP sock in it Kate; MOSSY'S MOANS IN REALITY SHOW
Pull the kayak off the rack, slip the cart under the hull, and load tackle, cooler, seat, camera, paddle and anchor pole.
On a roll: ease your way to the water
Keep your back straight and lift the bar-bell off the rack. Lower the bar to the middle of your chest, pause then push it up to the start position without locking your arms.
Your Life daily: A Chest and back; in association with Coventry Fostering Service
As the train slowed coming into Shrewsbury he reached up and got his valise down off the rack.
MORNING SERIAL
treated deck boards right off the rack at a local home center.
Gaps between deck boards
After reading your article ["From Off the Rack to Off the Wall," page 54] in the October 2000 issue of Dance Magazine, I was surprised that you made no mention of Alwin Nikolais, who was the innovator of costume design.
READERS' FORUM
She had to buy a tennis dress off the rack from the Priory club shop.
Holly hits her cue for Centre stage comeback
In general, the retailer tries to bring in 20 to 40 new pieces a week to each store, to replace rugs sold off the rack and to keep the assortment fresh.
JORDAN'S NEW AREA RUG BUSINESS A HIT
Father wasn't having one of those off the rack strait jackets.
IT'S PETER; AKA KEITH CARTER TALES OF A JOBBING COMIC ON THE COMEDY CIRCUIT