Phrase guide

at the drop of a hat

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Without any hesitation; instantly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • 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.

Meaning relationships

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

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

30 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: بغمضة عين — instantly, without hesitation
  • Basque: begien itxi-irekian — instantly, without hesitation
  • Basque: begien itxi-ireki batean — instantly, without hesitation
  • Finnish: hetkessä — instantly, without hesitation
  • Finnish: käden käänteessä — instantly, without hesitation
  • Finnish: tuosta vain — instantly, without hesitation
  • Finnish: alta aikayksikön — instantly, without hesitation
  • Finnish: epäröimättä — instantly, without hesitation
  • French: en un claquement de doigts — instantly, without hesitation
  • German: von einem Tag auf den anderen — instantly, without hesitation
  • German: von heute auf morgen — instantly, without hesitation
  • Greek: στο πι και φι (sto pi kai fi) — instantly, without hesitation
  • Italian: in un batter d'occhio — instantly, without hesitation
  • Italian: in un battito d'ali — instantly, without hesitation
  • Italian: in men che non si dica — instantly, without hesitation
  • Polish: na zawołanie — instantly, without hesitation
  • Polish: w każdej chwili — instantly, without hesitation
  • Polish: w mgnieniu oka — instantly, without hesitation
  • Portuguese: em um piscar de olhos — instantly, without hesitation
  • Portuguese: com um estalar de dedos — instantly, without hesitation
  • Portuguese: num abrir e fechar de olhos — instantly, without hesitation
  • Russian: ми́гом (mígom) — instantly, without hesitation
  • Russian: в мгнове́ние о́ка (v mgnovénije óka) — instantly, without hesitation
  • Russian: ту́т же (tút že) — instantly, without hesitation
  • Russian: за́просто (záprosto) — instantly, without hesitation
  • Spanish: en un abrir y cerrar de ojos — instantly, without hesitation
  • Spanish: de buenas a primeras — instantly, without hesitation
  • Spanish: a las primeras de cambio — instantly, without hesitation
  • Spanish: de inmediato — instantly, without hesitation
  • Spanish: al instante — instantly, without hesitation