at the drop of a hat

[blacknomi]

I jumped out of bed at the drop of a hat.

What's wrong with this sentence?

[RonBee]

Nothing. It just means that you got out of bed very quickly. I think that at one time races were started by the dropping of a hat.

[blacknomi]

Really?!?!?!

What about this?

Ron replied to me at the drop of a hat.

[Dandelion]

Take a look at this.
http://www.goenglish.com/AtTheDropOfAHat.asp

[blacknomi]

Thanks, my four-petal clover!

I know it means quickly and right away. When one is learning an idiom, he needs to make lots of sentences to make sure he gets it right! If I only grasp the literal meaning as "quickly and right away", I could make as many sentences as possible without noticing any mistakes.

For example,
1- Patrick gave me a diamond at the drop of a hat before I was going to bed.
2- I went home and took a shower at the drop of a hat.

Do they sound any funny without more context?


After a look at the link, which is a good one because I love pistures, I realized that I need to add more context to give a full image.

Thus,
1- If Patick were filthy rich, he would give me a diamond at the drop of a hat before Leo.
2- I would went home first, then took a shower at the drop of a hat if I knew you were visiting me tonight. You know, a beautiful lady stinks after she did too many cha cha chas on the dancing floor.


Do those examples make more sense compared to the former ones?


Do I have to use it in a conditional sentence?!




Yours,
Giant Dwarf

[Dandelion]

Thanks, my four-petal clover!

I know it means quickly and right away. When one is learning an idiom, he needs to make lots of sentences to make sure he gets it right! If I only grasp the literal meaning as "quickly and right away", I could make as many sentences as possible without noticing any mistakes.

For example,
1- Patrick gave me a diamond at the drop of a hat before I was going to bed.
2- I went home and took a shower at the drop of a hat.

Do they sound any funny without more context?


After a look at the link, which is a good one because I love pistures, I realized that I need to add more context to give a full image.

Thus,
1- If Patick were filthy rich, he would give me a diamond at the drop of a hat before Leo.
2- I would went home first, then took a shower at the drop of a hat if I knew you were visiting me tonight. You know, a beautiful lady stinks after she did too many cha cha chas on the dancing floor.


Does those examples make more sense compared to the former ones?


Do I have to use it in a conditional sentence?!




Yours,
Giant Dwarf

Hmmmmm, the flower has lost some petals and become a clover and the dwarf is getting taller by the minute......

A little context always helps, but it's not necessary.
No, you don't have to use it in a conditional sentence.
Henry is a very quarrelsome person. He gets into fights at the drop of a hat.
(at the slightest provocation)
She took the job at the drop of a hat. (immediately, without a second thought)
I fall in love at the drop of a hat. (very easily and quickly)

[blacknomi]

Hundreds-of-thousands-of-petal Clover,

I'm overwhelmed by your good luck. Thanks. Okay, it's okay to jump out of bed at the drop of a hat if natural calls. And sorry that I had to go because of that stupid phone card. It was poor. It only had 2 US dollars with one and half minutes. Money sucker! Anyway, you'll "see" me next week. Hold your breath for the bomb!


Yours,
Wishy washy Dwarf

[Dandelion]

Sweet dwarf,
Hmmm...I wonder how many petals a dandelion has.....

It's okay to jump out of bed at the drop of a hat if NATURE calls.


I figured that's what had happened. No problem.

You've got me on pins and needles!

Dandelion

[blacknomi]

I reached a GUYS's answering machine!

I was wondering who was it?!?!?!?! It might not be a guy's voice but the language made it sound so. I didn't like leaving a voice mail in someone's answering machine. I'm old-school who thinks the goal of making a phone call is to get a REAL guy there.



Yours,
Old School

[Dandelion]

Hi to you, old-school dwarf,

I'm with you on that. I very rarely leave a message. I just don't like talking to a machine.

from an old fogey