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Synonyms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the women, it’s Lake, with her pixie cut, newscaster makeup, perfectly composed look, and tendency to start yelling in your face at the drop of a hat.

From Slate • Jan. 11, 2024

I have to rope my friends in, I have to rope other actors in knowing that I’m going to have to return the favor at the drop of a hat.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2023

Put another way, all his work is connected, even if he’s not going to get into the DNA of it all with you at the drop of a hat.

From New York Times • May 28, 2023

It has deprived the party of not only their best campaigner, but a leader who could dominate the headlines at the drop of a hat.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2022

He might wet the bed and barf at the drop of a hat, but his goodwill more than made up for it.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.