at the drop of a hat

What it means

Immediately and without any hesitation, delay, or need for a reason. It describes how readily or suddenly someone is willing to act.

Examples

• She'll travel anywhere at the drop of a hat if it means adventure.
• He gets angry at the drop of a hat over the smallest things.
• They're ready to help friends move at the drop of a hat.
• Don't expect me to change my whole schedule at the drop of a hat.

Where it comes from

From 19th-century America, where dropping or sweeping down a hat was sometimes used as the signal to begin a race, fight, or contest at once.

Related idioms