Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

hats off to

Idioms  

  1. Congratulations to, as in Hats off to Claire! She's set a new record for the mile. This expression alludes to taking off one's hat as a sign of respect. [Mid-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.

"They gave us their best shot on a short week so hats off to them," Broncos quarterback Nix said after the win.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

As for your mother-in-law being 81 and wanting to take this trip, I take my many hats off to her.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

Kneecap posted a "hats off" to the activists on X, saying they were "buzzing to play one of our favourite cities".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

If those guys come in and ball out and they’re better than us, hats off to them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

“Well, hats off to your stylist. I don’t think anyone can argue that that’s not the most spectacular thing we’ve ever seen in an interview. Cinna, I think you better take a bow!”

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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.