2017-02-28 At the drop of a hat – The English We Speak

Summary

Rob says if he had the money he’d go to Australia at the drop of hat. Always thoughtful, Feifei offers Rob her hat – but she soon discovers her hat won’t even get him to the airport! Find out why in this programme.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Rob
And I’m Rob. So Feifei, have you got any holiday plans?

Feifei
Yes I have actually. Three weeks in Australia.

Rob
Australia – wonderful! If I had the money, I’d go there at the drop of a hat.

Feifei
What? At the drop of a hat? Here, take my hat.

Rob
Your hat? 

Feifei
Yes, you said you’d go at the drop of hat, so here’s my hat, now drop it – and then you can go.  

Rob
I wish it was that simple. When I said at the drop of a hat I meant ‘mmediately’. If I had enough money, I would go to Australia immediately – without delay.

Feifei
I see. So in other words, you would go to Australia without hesitation.

Rob
Exactly. Let’s hear some more examples…

Examples
My husband just can’t stop spending – he buys clothes at the drop of a hat!

If I knew what to do next, I’d quit my job at the drop of a hat. Until then, I’ll stay where I am.

My wife’s expecting a baby so I might have to rush to the hospital at the drop of a hat.

Feifei
To do something at a drop of a hat means to do something immediately without even thinking about it. Well Rob, I’ll send you a postcard when I get to Australia but it may take a while.

Rob
Why’s that?

Feifei
Well I’m going skiing in France first.

Rob
Oh, well that’s somewhere where you really don’t want to drop your hat – it’ll be freezing!

Feifei
So you don’t fancy coming with me then?

Rob
Skiing? No, that’s something I wouldn’t do at the drop of a hat. I’ll think about it. But have fun.

Feifei
Thanks.

Both
Bye!