Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to record; to enroll; to have an effect; to have influence
ticket
registering
project
comment
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Idiom "at the drop of a hat"



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
suck in one's cheeks | About the past tense of the lexicon 'thaw.'
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
Idiom "at the drop of a hat" #1 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 0:56 am   Idiom "at the drop of a hat"
 

Where did the expression "at the drop of a hat" come from?
Raquel Miyazaki
New Member


Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Brazil

Idioms #2 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:21 am   Idioms
 

Hi,

There are several theories about where this idiom comes from. It suggests that you are doing something immediately and without further consideration. The most popular explanation is that the dropping of a hat signalled the start of a fight.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13890
Location: UK

What do you know about the progressive forms?English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!How many different ways with words do you know? Subscribe to free email English course
Just stopping by #3 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:31 am   Just stopping by
 

Hi

I found this forum on Google and I like it. My name is Anna, I live in Paris, capital of France. I was born in London, United Kingdom and move to Paris after college. I like zubrovka and video games

Anna
Guest






Idioms #4 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:54 am   Idioms
 

Hi Annabrineg,

Nice to meet you. I've just found the word "zubrovka" in your message. This word has Russian origin and I know only one meaning of this word - this is a famous russian alcoholic beverage. Did you mean that?

Yuri
_________________
Everything is Anything.

Please NO Youtube on "My first steps in English" thread...
Yuri Yurinov
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 854
Location: Russia

Just stopping by #5 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 16:44 pm   Just stopping by
 

Hi Anna,
Would you help me with some idioms?
Thanks
Raquel
Raquel Miyazaki
New Member


Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Brazil

Idioms #6 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 16:45 pm   Idioms
 

Thanks Alan
What about "to learn the ropes"?
Raquel Miyazaki
New Member


Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Brazil

Just stopping by #7 (permalink) Wed Sep 09, 2009 16:48 pm   Just stopping by
 

Would you talk to me through MSN for me to practice?
Raquel Miyazaki
New Member


Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Brazil

how many Idiom in english #8 (permalink) Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:47 am   how many Idiom in english
 

how many Idiom there is in routin english?
Muhamed
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Posts: 14
Location: Middleeast-Iran

Idioms #9 (permalink) Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:36 am   Idioms
 

Hi,

There are countless idioms in the language, I'm afraid! As for 'learn the ropes' Raquel, that means learn a job or a procedure from the very beginning.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13890
Location: UK

Idioms #10 (permalink) Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:34 am   Idioms
 

Alan wrote:
There are countless idioms in the language, I'm afraid! As for 'learn the ropes' Raquel, that means learn a job or a procedure from the very beginning.

I think it comes from the old days, when getting a job on a sailing ship meant that you had to learn what all the ropes were for.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Display posts from previous:   
suck in one's cheeks | About the past tense of the lexicon 'thaw.'
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
keep a gill openWords, words, wordsI have not yet been able to find out the phonetic signs of 'vellus'.The chance to be an overnight success hardly ever comes up.Any semantic differences among those words?Wrirting practise: Last night I read a story book written by a fantastic writerIf require or if requiredIs the word 'bear bait' common?Is the poetic term 'wont' common?is ing form possible with modal verbs?How to use "probably"...Is water closet another saying of rest room?Read it once a day for 5 day straight

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail