the shoemaker's children go barefoot
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One often neglects those closest to oneself; a tradesman may ironically neglect or postpone his own home's need for his trade's services.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I've got a lovely wife who's a professional photographer, three lovely grown children, a lovely old dog with bad hips and a good disposition, and an old house which is always in desperate need of repairs. My wife says that’s because the shoemaker's kids always go barefoot and the carpenter’s house a
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the shoemaker's children go barefoot” mean?
One often neglects those closest to oneself; a tradesman may ironically neglect or postpone his own home's need for his trade's services.
Is “the shoemaker's children go barefoot” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.