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at the drop of a hat

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at the drop of a hat

1. With little provocation. Don't let my mother watch any of those sappy movies—she cries at the drop of a hat.

2. Freely; immediately. I don't have any vacation time yet at my new job, so I can't just travel at the drop of a hat. I can always depend on my dad. Any time I need help, he's there at the drop of a hat.

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

Fig. immediately; instantly; on the slightest signal or urging. (Alludes to the dropping of a hat as a signal.) John was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat. If you need help, just call on me. I can come at the drop of a hat.

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

suddenly, without any planning and for no obvious reason He'd buy her expensive clothing at the drop of a hat and worry about how he would pay for it later. I hate to speak in public, but she'll get up on stage at the drop of a hat.

Related vocabulary: at a moment's notice

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

if you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it suddenly and easily, often without any preparation I can't go rushing off to Florida at the drop of a hat. We now have a situation where laws may be changed at the drop of a hat.

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [Late 1800s]

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

1. Immediately; without delay: would sign the contract at the drop of a hat.

2. With only the slightest provocation: ready to argue at the drop of a hat.

See also: drop, hat, of

at the drop of a hat

At the slightest pretext or provocation.

See also: drop, hat, of