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pass the hat

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pass the hat (around) (to someone)

Fig. to collect donations of money from people. (Could also be literal.) Jerry passed the hat around to all the other workers. He passed around the hat to everyone. I'll pass the hat around.

See also: hat, pass

pass the hat

to ask a group of people to give money Our group has tried passing the hat, and they've had auctions and done various things to raise funds.

Usage notes: usually said about money that is given to help pay for something or to reward someone

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of passing a hat (asking people to put money in a hat that is handed from one person to another)

See also: hat, pass

pass the hat

Ask for financial contributions, as in Let's pass the hat so we can get her a nice going-away gift. This expression alludes to the actual practice of passing a hat around a gathering, but it is also used more figuratively, as in The board decided to pass the hat again among the corporate sponsors. [Late 1800s]

See also: hat, pass

pass the hat

To take up a collection of money.

See also: hat, pass