more life in a tramp's vest

English

Etymology

A tramp's vest might be expected to be infested with living things such as fleas.

Noun

more life in a tramp's vest (uncountable)

1. (UK, slang) Used in comparisons to indicate that someone or something is devoid of life or animation.
   • 2011, Colin MacFarlane, No Mean Glasgow: Revelations of a Gorbals Guy:

     We had been used to the patter and banter of the Gorbals and, after a particularly dull conversation with one of our new neighbours, my mother told me that she'd 'seen mair life in a tramp's vest'.

   • 2012, Martyn Johnson, What's Tha Up To Nah?:

     I'd seen more life in a tramp's vest than I had in this lad, and he just sat on the bike totally unconcerned as I approached him on foot.