IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishcry at the drop of a hat
Meaning: To burst into tears very easily.
Example: “Since the baby was born, she cries at the drop of a hat.”
Origin: Dropping a hat was once a signal to start a race or a fight, so "at the drop of a hat" means instantly. The phrase is American from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
German: nah am Wasser gebaut Literally: Built close to water
More English idioms
- think outside the box To find an unconventional solution.
- green with envy Extremely jealous.
- keep someone on a short leash To keep someone under close control.
- not for all the tea in China Under no circumstances.
- rein someone in To bring someone under control.
- keep one's feet on the ground To stay realistic and unaffected by success.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A 'w/ch/ck' drill that accelerates comically — and nobody really knows the answer.
- The sixth sick sheikh's sixth sheep's sick. Believed by Guinness to be among the hardest in English — 'six/sick/sheikh/sheep' blur in…
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
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