at the drop of a hat

at the drop of a hat
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.

* * *
{adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without waiting; immediately; promptly. * /If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary, because she can come at the drop of a hat./ Compare: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little cause or urging. * /At the drop of a hat, he would tell the story of the canal he wanted to build./ * /He was quarrelsome and ready to fight at the drop of a hat./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • at the drop of a hat — phrasal : as soon as the slightest occasion is given : readily or promptly he would blush at the drop of a hat * * * at the drop of a hat 1. Immediately 2. On the smallest provocation • • • Main Entry: ↑drop * * * at the drop of a hat …   Useful english dictionary

  • At the Drop of Another Hat — Infobox Musical name= At the Drop of Another Hat subtitle= caption= music= Donald Swann lyrics= Michael Flanders book= Michael Flanders Donald Swann basis= productions= awards= At the Drop of Another Hat is musical revue by Flanders and Swann,… …   Wikipedia

  • at the drop of a hat — {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without waiting; immediately; promptly. * /If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary, because she can come at the drop of a hat./ Compare: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • At the Drop of a Hat — Infobox Musical name= At the Drop of a Hat subtitle= caption= Opening night program music= Donald Swann lyrics= Michael Flanders book= Michael Flanders Donald Swann basis= productions= 1956 London fringe 1959 Off Broadway awards= At the Drop of a …   Wikipedia

  • at\ the\ drop\ of\ a\ hat — adv. phr. informal 1. Without waiting; immediately; promptly. If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary, because she can come at the drop of a hat. Compare: on the spur of the moment 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little cause or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • 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 …   New idioms dictionary

  • at the drop of a hat — If you would do something at the drop of a hat, you d do it immediately …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • at the drop of a hat — ► at the drop of a hat informal without delay or good reason. Main Entry: ↑drop …   English terms dictionary

  • at the drop of a hat — idi at the slightest provocation or without delay: to argue at the drop of a hat[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • at the drop of a hat —    If you would do something at the drop of a hat, you d do it immediately.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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