take one's hat off to

1. Also, take off one's hat to. Express one's admiration, as in I take off my hat to you—you've done very well indeed. [Mid-1800s] Also see hats off to.

Example Sentences

In towns or places where many foreigners come and go this is unnecessary, but in small out-of-the-way places one should take one's hat off to the priest.

From Project Gutenberg