at the drop of a hat

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Example

“Maya would visit her grandparents at the drop of a hat.”

Dictionary details

Component words

drop hat

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

drop a hint Neutral · CEFR B1

suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly

drop someone a line Neutral · CEFR B1

to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email

wear many hats Informal · CEFR B1

to perform many different roles, especially in a small organization

now or never Neutral · CEFR B1

A moment when immediate action is necessary because the opportunity will not return.

play for time Neutral · CEFR B2

to delay deliberately in order to prepare or avoid an immediate outcome

when all is said and done Neutral · CEFR B2

ultimately, after everything has been discussed and considered

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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