eat your hat

eat (one's) hat

A humorous action that one will allegedly take if something very unlikely happens. Kevin is always late, so if he actually shows up on time, I'll eat my hat.
See also: eat, hat

eat your hat

mainly BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you say that you will eat your hat if a particular thing happens, you mean that you do not believe that it will happen. I will eat my hat if the Social Democrats get in at the next general election. He has promised to eat his hat if he is wrong.
See also: eat, hat
References in periodicals archive ?
SUGAR BOWL: Should you ever threaten to eat your hat, make sure the milliner is Alison Tod.
HELP ALISON EAT HER SWEET HAT
So, prepare to eat your hat - this is a decent adventure made all the more appealing now it's on video.
GO:VIDEOS: CLIMBERS TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT
Well, next time you're cooking up a quick pasta, you can eat your hat.
food: look out for..
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?