At the drop of a hat

Status
Not open for further replies.

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Well, they're my cup of tea. ;-)
 

.

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Member Type
Other
G'day Tdol,
I checked the link you supplied and found the definition given to be a little simplistic, if I am allowed to say that here.
I mean no offence but to say that, 'At the drop of a hat' means simply 'immediately' or 'rapidly' misses the entire point of the saying.
At the drop of a hat can mean instantly but it can also mean that a thing will happen instantly but at some time in the future.

The full idiomatic saying is similar to, 'He will fight at the drop of a hat!'
What this means is not that he will fight instantly or even soon. It does not mean that he will actually fight unless someone 'drops a hat' but blokes are very careful about 'dropping hats' around him.

To drop a hat is one of the quietest and most innofensive slow gestures that a man makes.
The hat falls slowly.
The hat makes no noise in the falling or the landing.
The hat damages nothing.
A dropped hat is not thrown.
There is nothing offensive about dropping a hat.

A bloke who will blue at the drop of a hat is a bloke who will fight at the slightest provocation or excuse.

To do something at the drop of a hat is to do something on a whim.
The whim may be instantaneous or delayed but it is the whimsey aspect that the saying is trying to convey.

See ya

.,,
 

.

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Member Type
Other
G'day Tdol,
May I suggest that the definition given is less than complete and may be confusing to the leanre.
At the drop of a hat is a fragmentary part of the more complete idiomatic saying, 'He'll blue (fight) at the drop of a hat.'

This does not mean that he will fight without hesitation but rather that he will fight with little or no provocation.
A dropped hat would have to be the most peacefully quiet slow motion that one could imagine of a bloke in the company of other blokes.
The falling hat makes no sound.
The falling hat travels quite slowly.
The falling hat breaks nothing.
The falling hat is not aggressive.

A bloke who will fight at the drop of a hat will fight with no provocation and on a whim. It is this aspect of whimsy that 'at the drop of a hat' conveys not a lack of hesitation.
I hope that I do not confuse your intent.

.,,
 
Last edited:

RonBee

Moderator
Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I think your explanation is a good one.

:up:
 

Huda-M

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Urdu
Home Country
Pakistan
Current Location
Pakistan
A hat can drop even by the slightest wind - without hesitation!
 

nitikasnv

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
check it out:

Hi

At the drop of hat: immediately; instantly; on the slightest signal or urging

ex:If you need help, just call on me. I can come at the drop of a hat.

Thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top