: to keep (something) secret : to not tell anyone about (something) I’ll tell you what happened, but you have to keep it under your hat.
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Where does the term keep it under your hat come from?
In the mid-1800s the term was used in Britain as an admonishment to keep something in your head, to leave something in your imagination and not bring it to fruition. The oldest example of this use of the phrase is in The History of Pendennis by William Makepeace Thackeray, published in 1848.
What does the phrase in your hat mean?
derision or incredulity
It may be that the American expression and the now defunct British one came about independently. Another heady phrase, “in your hat,” has been used to express “derision or incredulity” since the 1920s, according to Random House.
What does it mean to keep something under wraps?
secret
Definition of under wraps
informal. : known to only a few people : secret The name of the movie is being kept under wraps.
What does it mean to lay your hat down?
Wherever you are comfortable and at ease with yourself is your home, regardless where you were born or brought up.
What does keep mum mean in texting?
to not tell anyone
Definition of keep/stay mum
informal. : to not tell anyone (about something) She told him to keep/stay mum about the project.
What does keep your hat on mean?
1. To depend or rely on something. I can’t just hang my hat on the great season I had last year—I need to keep improving if I want to make the team again. 2. To believe or trust something.
What means keep your shirt on?
to calm down
Definition of keep your shirt on
informal. —used to tell someone to calm down or be more patient “Aren’t you ready yet?” “Keep your shirt on! I’ll be ready in a minute.”
What does eat one’s hat mean?
Definition of I’ll eat my hat
—used to say that something will not happen or cannot be true If he wins the election, I’ll eat my hat!
What does talking through your hat mean?
Talk nonsense
Talk nonsense; also, hold forth about something one knows very little about. For example, He was talking through his hat when he described the shipwreck, or Mother went on and on about various screwdrivers but in fact she was talking through her hat.
What is the meaning of a little hot under the collar?
Angry, as in She is quick to get hot under the collar, but once the problem is ironed out she forgets it entirely. This expression alludes to the heat of anger. [
What does it mean fire in the belly?
a strong determination to succeed
a strong determination to succeed: Neither of the candidates has a fire in his belly, so it’s hard to get excited about them. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Strength of will and determination. aggressiveness.
What does keeping the wolf from the door mean?
informal. : to have or earn enough money to afford things (such as food and clothing) that is needed to live They make just enough to keep the wolf from the door.
What does it mean when a girl puts on your cowboy hat?
Many guys are probably still going to be a little annoyed unless the woman is extremely attractive. But, I was always told that if a woman puts a man’s hat on her head, she is sending him a message that she plans on removing more of his attire at a later time. The bow goes to the back.
What does a toothpick in a cowboy hat mean?
It’s a flossing pick. I’ve known cowboys to keep flossing picks in their hat bands, or regular toothpicks, or even horse shoeing nails for emergencies.
Why is it unlucky to put a hat on a bed?
Waking up to a head full of lice — or evil spirits — the day after a hat was put on your bed would give new dimension to having a “bad hair day.”
What does it mean when a girl says mum?
Summary of Key Points
“Mother” is the most common definition for MUM on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Does mum mean silent?
Mum is an adjective that means keeping quiet. It can also be used by itself to mean Be quiet! This sense of mum is especially used in the expressions keep mum and mum’s the word.
What does yes mum mean?
What does yes ma’am mean? Yes ma’am is a polite way of affirming something an older or superior woman has said, often used to show sass or excitement in response to something more generally.
What does hanging his boots mean?
[British] to stop playing a sport, especially football, and retire. I want a few triumphs and medals to reflect on when I eventually hang up my boots.
What does the saying Old hat mean?
old-fashioned
1 : old-fashioned. 2 : lacking in freshness : trite.