cap

(with) hat in hand

Fig. with humility. (Fig. on the image of someone standing, respectfully, in front of a powerful person, asking for a favor.) She stormed off but came back with hat in hand when she ran out of money. We had to go hat in hand to the committee to get a grant for our proposal.

See also: hand, hat

cap and gown

the academic cap or mortarboard and the robe worn in formal academic ceremonies. We all had to rent cap and gown for graduation. I appeared wearing my cap and gown, but I had shorts on underneath because it gets so hot at that time of year.

See also: and, gown

feather in one's cap

Fig. an honor; a reward for something. Getting a new client was really a feather in my cap. John earned a feather in his cap by getting an A in physics.

See also: feather

put a cap on something

Fig. to put a limit on something. We need to put a cap on spending in every department. The city put a cap on the amount each landlord could charge.

See also: put

put one's thinking cap on

Fig. to start thinking in a serious manner. (Usually used with children.) It's time to put our thinking caps on, children. All right now, let's put on our thinking caps and do some arithmetic.

See also: put, thinking

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a feather in somebody's cap  (old-fashioned)

something very good that someone has done A new television series will be another feather in his cap.

See also: feather

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

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

See also: come, hand

If the cap fits (wear it).  (British, American & Australian) also If the hat/shoe fits (wear it). (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: fit, if

put your thinking cap on

to start to think seriously about how to solve a problem Let me put my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with an answer.

See also: put, thinking

to cap it all

if you have been describing bad things which happened and then say that to cap it all something else happened, you mean that the final thing was even worse He spilled red wine on the carpet, insulted my mother, and, to cap it all, he broke my favourite vase.

See to cap it all, If the cap fits, come cap in hand

to cap/crown/top it all

something that you say when you want to tell someone the worst event in a series of bad events that has happened to you He spilled red wine on the carpet, insulted my mother, and to cap it all, broke my favourite vase.

See be all sweetness and light, for all cares, for all knows, That's all she wrote!, be all in a day's work, I've never [felt etc.] in all my days!, be all ears, if all else fails, all eyes are on, be all eyes, be all fur coat and no knickers, It's all go, All in good time, It's all Greek to me, be all heart, at all hours, at all hours, to all intents and purposes, and all that jazz, be all in the/ mind, in all modesty, be all moonlight and roses, be all mouth, in all but name, That's all need!, be all smiles, all systems go, be all talk, would for all the tea in China, be all things to all men, be all fingers and thumbs, go all the way, be all wet, All work and no play

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a feather in your cap

an achievement that you can be proud of An order for 28 new aircraft is quite a feather in Boeing's cap.

See also: feather

cap something off also cap off something

to complete an experience in a particularly good or bad way We went to the beach, strolled around town, and capped off our visit with a fireworks display that evening.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form cap it all off: There's been bad economic news all year, and to cap it all off, now oil prices are increasing.

Related vocabulary: to top it all (off)

hat in hand also cap 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, hat