throw (one's) hat in(to) the ring
(redirected from throw his hat in the ring)throw (one's) hat in(to) the ring
To announce that one is going to be competing with others, especially in a political election. I'm thinking about throwing my hat in the ring for class president! As has been widely predicted, yesterday the governor threw his hat into the ring for the presidential election next year.
throw one's hat in the ring
Also, toss one's hat in the ring. Announce one's candidacy or enter a contest, as in The governor was slow to throw his hat in the ring in the senatorial race. This term comes from boxing, where throwing a hat in the ring formerly indicated a challenge; today the idiom nearly always refers to political candidacy. [c. 1900]
throw your hat into the ring
mainly BRITISH orthrow your hat in the ring
If you throw your hat into the ring or throw your hat in the ring, you become one of the people taking part in a competition or contest. She lost the nomination after Kinkel threw his hat into the ring at the last moment. Jimmy Elsby, another assistant general secretary, is expected to throw his hat in the ring. Note: People sometimes use cap instead of hat. He said straightaway that he would play. I am delighted that he has decided to throw his cap into the ring. Note: Other verbs are sometimes used instead of throw. Denmark's Morten Olsen has put his hat into the ring to succeed Richard Moller Nielsen as national team coach. Note: In the past, prize fighters at showgrounds used to challenge people to fight them. Someone who was willing to accept the challenge would throw their hat into the ring.
throw your hat in (or into) the ring
indicate willingness to take up a challenge or enter a contest. 1998 Times We have been anticipating that South Africa would throw its hat into the ring for some time and have a high regard for the candidacy.