hat
Pronounced:
/ˈhæt/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural hatsMeaning:
[count] : a covering for the head that often has a brim and a rounded or flat top ▪ a straw hat —see also cowboy hat, hard hat, top hat
at the drop of a hat —see 1drop
hang your hat
◊The place where you hang your hat is the place where you live or stay. ▪ I'm looking for a new place to hang my hat.
hat in hand —see 1hand
hats off to
informal —used to give praise or credit to someone ▪ Hats off to Susan for doing such a great job.
I'll eat my hat —see eat
keep (something) under your hat
: to keep (something) secret : to not tell anyone about (something) ▪ I'll tell you what happened, but you have to keep it under your hat.
pass the hat
: to collect money usually for a particular purpose ▪ They passed the hat at one of their meetings and collected almost $200. ▪ passing the hat for families affected by the disaster
take your hat off to
informal : to give (someone) praise or credit ▪ I (have to) take my hat off to her. She did a great job.
talk through your hat —see 1talk
throw/toss your hat in/into the ring
: to announce that you are going to try to win a contest (such as an election) ▪ Yet another candidate has thrown his hat into the ring.
tip your hat —see 1tip
wear many hats
: to have many jobs or roles ▪ She wears many hats: she's a doctor, a musician, and a writer.
—see also old hat
