hat
a shaped covering for the head, usually with a crown and brim, especially for wear outdoors.
Roman Catholic Church.
the distinctive head covering of a cardinal.
the office or dignity of a cardinal.: Compare red hat.
to provide with a hat; put a hat on.
Idioms about hat
hat in hand, humbly; respectfully: He approached the boss, hat in hand.
pass the hat, to ask for contributions of money, as for charity; take up a collection: The lodge members passed the hat to send underprivileged children to summer camp.
take off one's hat to, to express high regard for; praise: We took off our hats to their courage and daring.
talk through one's hat, to speak without knowing the facts; make unsupported or incorrect statements: He is talking through his hat when he says he'll make the team.
throw / toss one's hat in the ring, to become a participant in a contest, especially to declare one's candidacy for political office: His friends are urging him to throw his hat in the ring.
under one's hat, confidential; private; secret: I'll tell you the real story, but keep it under your hat.
wear two / several hats, to function in more than one capacity; fill two or more positions: He wears two hats, serving as the company's comptroller as well as its chief executive officer.
Origin of hat
1Other words from hat
- hatless, adjective
- hat·less·ness, noun
- hatlike, adjective
Words Nearby hat
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hat in a sentence
Adjusting to changes at the drop of a hat is common in most kitchens, but it’s something Rivera was used to well before he started working in restaurants.
Decades after her stint in Scandinavia, she still watched Ingmar Bergman films without the subtitles — and wore a small top hat, conferred on her along with an honorary doctorate by the University of Lund, to academic occasions.
For a fleeting moment, I was Jackie Kennedy sans the pink Chanel suit and matching pillbox hat.
Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS.
Trump’s call for a Goodyear boycott might mean new tires for the presidential limo | Claire Zillman, reporter | August 20, 2020 | FortuneIn high school, we began knitting, starting with sweaters and hats.
Stetson returned east in 1865 and created his own hat company, which produced high-quality hats made for outdoor use.
Based on the hat he had created for himself, Stetson made a version called “The Boss of the Plains.”
While panning for gold, he made himself a large hat from the hides he had collected on his trip.
John B. Stetson was born in 1830 in New Jersey, the son of a hat maker.
A gifted marketer, he sent samples of the hat to merchandisers all over the West, asking for a minimum order of a dozen.
Behold a dumpy, comfortable British paterfamilias in a light flannel suit and a faded sun hat.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordOn his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills"I hope you don't think I speak always to strangers, like that," said the girl in the rose hat.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonAfterwards we saw you once or twice at tea at the Ritz, and you took off your hat, so you must have remembered then.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonHis face flushed with annoyance, and taking off his soft hat he began to beat it impatiently against his leg as he walked.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
British Dictionary definitions for hat
/ (hæt) /
any of various head coverings, esp one with a brim and a shaped crown
(in combination): hatrack
informal a role or capacity
at the drop of a hat without hesitation or delay
I'll eat my hat informal I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens: I'll eat my hat if this book comes out late
hat in hand humbly or servilely
keep something under one's hat to keep something secret
my hat (interjection) British informal
my word! my goodness!
nonsense!
old hat something stale or old-fashioned
out of a hat
as if by magic
at random
pass the hat round or send the hat round to collect money, as for a cause
take off one's hat to to admire or congratulate
talk through one's hat
to talk foolishly
to deceive or bluff
throw one's hat at it Irish to give up all hope of getting or achieving something: you can throw your hat at it now
throw one's hat in the ring or toss one's hat in the ring to announce one's intentions to be a candidate or contestant
(tr) to supply (a person, etc) with a hat or put a hat on (someone)
Origin of hat
1Derived forms of hat
- hatless, adjective
- hatlike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with hat
In addition to the idioms beginning with hat
- hate someone's guts
- hat in hand
- hat in the ring
- hats off to
- hat trick
also see:
- at the drop of a hat
- brass hat
- eat one's hat
- hang on to your hat
- hang up (one's hat)
- hard hat
- hats off to
- keep under one's hat
- knock into a cocked hat
- pass the hat
- pull out of a hat
- take one's hat off to
- talk through one's hat
- throw one's hat in the ring
- wear another hat
Also see undercap.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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