hang one’s hat: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘hang one's hat’ mean?
The idiom "hang one's hat" means to settle down or establish oneself in a particular place or situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "land on one's feet" means to recover or be successful after a difficult or challenging situation. It suggests being able to adapt and find a positive outcome despite the circumstances.
The idiom "hunker down" means to get into a stable, secure, or defensive position, both physically and mentally, usually in order to wait out a difficult or dangerous situation.
The idiom "hook it" means to quickly leave or depart from a place or situation. It is often used in a casual or informal context and implies a sense of urgency or haste.
The idiom "hold onto your hat" means to prepare oneself for something surprising or exciting that is about to happen. It is often used to indicate that someone should be ready for a fast or unpredictable experience.
The idiom "hitch one's wagon to" means to attach oneself or one's ambitions to someone or something more powerful or successful in order to benefit from their success or support. It implies relying on the other person or thing for progress or advancement.
"Hang up one's hat" means to retire or settle down in a particular place or profession, indicating that one is no longer actively pursuing their career or nomadic lifestyle.
The idiom "hang up one's fiddle" means to retire or give up something that one has been doing for a long time, especially a skill or talent.
The idiom "hang up one's boots" means to retire or stop working, especially in the context of a specific career or activity.
The idiom *hang upon* means to be dependent on or influenced by someone or something.
"Hang up" as an idiom means to end a phone call or to put the phone receiver back in its place. It can also be used to describe someone's inability to let go or move on from something.
Hidden Origins
In addition to "hang one's hat," there are several related idioms that are used in the English language. These idioms include "hang up one's hat," "hang up one's boots," "bed in," "hang up one's fiddle," and "hang out one's shingle."
"Hang up one's hat" is a variation of the original idiom and is used in the same way. It is often used to indicate a temporary or permanent residence or resting place. For example, if someone says, "I'm ready to hang up my hat and retire," it means that they are ready to permanently settle down and stop working.
"Hang up one's boots" is another variation of the idiom. It is often used to signify the end of a career or activity. For instance, if a professional athlete says, "I've decided to hang up my boots," it means that they have decided to retire from their sport.
"Bed in" is a phrase that is often used in a similar context as "hang one's hat." It is used to indicate a permanent or long-term stay in a particular place or situation. For example, if someone says, "I'm going to bed in at this job," it means that they are planning on staying at the job for a long time.
"Hang up one's fiddle" is a phrase that is used to indicate the end of a musical career or performance. It is often used in a metaphorical sense to signify the end of a person's involvement in a particular activity or field. For example, if a musician says, "I've decided to hang up my fiddle," it means that they have decided to stop playing music professionally.
"Hang out one's shingle" is a phrase that is used to indicate the start of a business or professional practice. It derives from the practice of hanging a sign, or "shingle," outside of one's place of business. For example, if a lawyer says, "I'm going to hang out my shingle and start my own practice," it means that they are starting their own law firm.
The idiom "hang one's hat" and its related idioms are used in everyday conversations to convey a sense of comfort, permanence, and identity. They are unique expressions that convey specific meanings and are an integral part of the English language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "hang one's hat" can be used in a sentence:
- I've been living in this city for years, and this is the place I truly hang my hat.
- After a long day's work, he likes to hang his hat at the local pub with his friends.
- She's been searching for a stable job for months, but hasn't found a company where she can hang her hat.
More "Residence" idioms
We missed the mark - nothing found.
