Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

at the drop of a hat

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.40 in modern English

Syllables: at the -drop of a hat
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

Without any hesitation; instantly.

Informal

Example Sentences

"We're expected to just do it at the drop of a hat."
"If you need help, just call on Mike. He can come at the drop of a hat."
"A tremendous thing happened when Dean met Carlo Marx. Two keen minds that they are, they took to each other at the drop of a hat."
"Let's face it. We are swollen up like an overfed slug, our breath stinks, the tiniest irritant is magnified ten thousand times, and we cry at the drop of a hat."

Etymology

From the customary starting of competitions by making a sweeping downward motion with a cap.

Usage

Informal

Synonyms

at a moment's notice at once in a heartbeat off the cuff

Questions

What does at the drop of a hat mean?: Without any hesitation; instantly.
Where does at the drop of a hat come from?: From the customary starting of competitions by making a sweeping downward motion with a cap.

How to pronounce at the drop of a hat

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