IdiomDaily Life
German
Germanseinen Hut nehmen
Meaning: To resign or quit from a position.
Literally: To take one's hat
Example: “Nach dem verlorenen Prozess nahm der Direktor seinen Hut.” — After losing the case, the director bowed out.
English equivalent: To bow out
Equivalents in other languages
English: bow out
French: Tirer sa révérence Literally: To draw one's bow
Origin: A man leaving a gathering picked up his hat on the way out. Taking one's hat is a polite way of saying leaving, and especially resigning from a post. It is a euphemism with no particular story behind it.
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