hat (redirected from Black hats)

at the drop of a hat

if you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it suddenly and easily, often without any preparation. I can't go rushing off to Florida at the drop of a hat. We now have a situation where laws may be changed at the drop of a hat.

See also: drop

be talking through your hat (old-fashioned, informal)

to be talking about a subject as if you know a lot about it when in fact you know very little. The man's talking through his hat. He doesn't know the first thing about banking.

See also: talk, through

be wearing your [teacher's/lawyer's etc.] hat

to be acting as you do when you are working as a teacher, lawyer etc., which may be different from the way you act in other situations. I was wearing my teacher's hat at the meeting.

come/go cap in hand (British, American & Australian, American)

to ask someone for money or help in a way which makes you feel ashamed. I had to go cap in hand to my parents again to ask for some money. (often + to)

See also: cap, come, hand

hang up your hat

to leave your job for ever. When I stop enjoying my work, that'll be the time to hang up my hat.

See also: hang

hats off to someone

something that you say when you want to express your admiration for someone. Hats off to her - it takes a lot of courage to go travelling on your own at that age.

I take my hat off to someone (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say which means that you admire and respect someone for something they have done. I take my hat off to people who do voluntary work in their spare time. I tip my hat to our teachers who've raised standards in the school with very few resources.

See also: take

I'll eat my hat (old-fashioned)

if you say you will eat your hat if something happens or does not happen, you mean you will be very surprised if it happens or does not happen. If we can't beat a second-rate team like Sheffield, I'll eat my hat.

See also: eat, I'll

If the cap fits (wear it). (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say to tell someone that if they are guilty of something bad, they should accept criticism. Look, I didn't say who was to blame for this mess - but if the cap fits, wear it.

See also: cap, fit

keep something under your hat

to keep something secret. I've got some interesting news, but you must promise to keep it under your hat for the moment.

See also: keep

old hat

if something is old hat, it is not new or modern any more. A 24-hour banking service may seem old hat in the United States, but it's still innovative in Europe.

See also: old

pass the hat around/round

to collect money from a group of people. We're passing the hat round for Simon's leaving present.

See also: around, pass, round

pull a rabbit out of the hat

to surprise everyone by suddenly doing something that shows a lot of skill, often in order to solve a problem. He's one of those players who, just when you think the game's over, can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

See also: pull, rabbit

throw/toss your hat in the ring (American & Australian)

to do something that makes it clear you want to compete with other people, especially to compete for a political position. She's seriously considering throwing her hat in the ring and declaring herself a candidate for the election.

See also: ring, throw, toss

with your [teacher's/lawyer's etc.] hat on

be wearing your [teacher's/lawyer's etc.] hat - to be acting as you do when you are working as a teacher, lawyer etc., which may be different from the way you act in other situations. I'd like to talk to you with your lawyer's hat on.

---

at the drop of a hat

suddenly, without any planning and for no obvious reason. He'd buy her expensive clothing at the drop of a hat and worry about how he would pay for it later. I hate to speak in public, but she'll get up on stage at the drop of a hat.

on the spur of the moment

at a moment's notice

See also: drop

hang your hat on something

1. to depend on something. The company's earnings were up 70% last year, but I don't think you can hang your hat on that kind of growth.

2. to believe something. It's hard to hang your hat on a lack of money as the real reason they didn't take the trip.

See also: hang

hat in hand

with an attitude of respect for someone powerful. The Secretary of Defense must go to Congress, hat in hand, to get approval to close military bases.

Usage notes: said about someone who is hoping to get something they want

Etymology: based on the custom of men removing their hats to show respect, and on the idea that people beg (= ask for money) by holding out a hat

See also: hand

hats off to someone

I admire you. This new car has the most unusual design on the road, and for that I say hats off to the designers.

pass the hat

to ask a group of people to give money. Our group has tried passing the hat, and they've had auctions and done various things to raise funds.

Usage notes: usually said about money that is given to help pay for something or to reward someone

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of passing a hat (= asking people to put money in a hat that is handed from one person to another)

See also: pass

pull a rabbit out of your hat

to do something surprising. You didn't know how the story would end and then the author pulled a rabbit out of her hat, and it all made sense.

Usage notes: sometimes used to describe a surprising solution to a problem: The governor pulled a rabbit out of a hat by putting together a budget without increasing taxes.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of pull a rabbit out of a hat, which is often done as a magic trick

See also: pull, rabbit

take your hat off to someone

to express your admiration and respect what someone has done. I think you have to take your hat off to him for all that he has accomplished.

Etymology: based on the custom of men removing their hats to show respect for someone

See also: take

throw your hat in the ring

to announce that you intend to compete for something, esp. a political position. At today's news conference, the congressman officially threw his hat in the ring and began his campaign for the Senate.

See also: ring, throw