at the drop of a hat

Idioms  

1. Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

They're a defence that goes to pieces at the drop of a hat.

From BBC

You can't find me a boxer from middleweight to heavyweight who wouldn't fight Paul at the drop of a hat for the type of money on display.

From BBC

"He bought Twitter so that he had clout and would be able to - at the drop of a hat - reach hundreds of millions of people," Donovan said.

From BBC

Famously, they'll take requests from the audience, often playing other artists' songs at the drop of a hat.

From BBC

“I personally prefer being in the office, to be close to my team and to be able to chat through things at the drop of a hat,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheerfully
• eagerly
• easily
• freely
• gladly
• immediately
• promptly
• willingly