Idiom
At the drop of a hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and without hesitation, with almost no reason or warning.
How people use it
People use it for someone who is always ready or eager: "She'll travel at the drop of a hat." It can be positive, suggesting flexibility and enthusiasm, or negative, suggesting someone reacts too quickly: "He loses his temper at the drop of a hat." It usually comes at the end of the clause. The tone is informal, and the phrase is very common in everyday speech.
Examples
- My grandmother will bake a cake at the drop of a hat if someone mentions a birthday.
- Omar is always ready to help friends move furniture at the drop of a hat.
- The puppy starts barking at the drop of a hat, even when a leaf blows past.
Where it comes from
It probably comes from the custom of dropping a hat as a signal to start something, such as a race or a fight, in the 1800s, especially in America. Because the signal could come at any moment, people had to be ready to go instantly. The exact origin is not certain.
Check yourself
1. What does at the drop of a hat mean?
Answer: Immediately, without hesitation. At the drop of a hat means instantly, with little reason or warning.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: Sam will go to the beach at the drop of a hat.. Being ready to go to the beach instantly fits the meaning.
Similar idioms
Word game fan? See every word hiding in HAT.