cock-a-hoop
Americanadjective
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in a state of unrestrained joy or exultation; boastfully elated.
He was cock-a-hoop over his victory.
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askew; out of kilter.
He knocked his hat cock-a-hoop.
adjective
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in very high spirits
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boastful
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askew; confused
Etymology
Origin of cock-a-hoop
First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain
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.
You might expect the Kremlin to be cock-a-hoop at Trump winning back the White House.
From BBC • Nov. 6, 2024
Karen Brewer, chief executive officer of the zoo, said the rhino team was "cock-a-hoop" at the news, adding: "It's just amazing and reminds us of why we are here."
From BBC • Aug. 11, 2022
Tony Pulis will be cock-a-hoop; Arsenal Wenger will be full of fume.
From The Guardian • Nov. 21, 2015
Forest says the restaurant’s name borrows from an Old English expression, cock-a-hoop, which, according to his online research, could mean “stand on the barrel and crow with exaltation.”
From Washington Post • Jun. 16, 2015
It's funny too, because what I'm so cock-a-hoop about to-night is that life's so full of things just ahead, things that are going to happen.
From Secret Bread by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)
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.
