At the drop of a hat

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 

FeifeiHello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.

RobAnd I'm Rob. So Feifei, have you got any holiday plans?

FeifeiYes I have actually. Three weeks in Australia.

RobAustralia – wonderful! If I had the money, I'd go there at the drop of a hat.

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

RobYour hat? 

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

RobI 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.

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

RobExactly. Let's hear some more examples…

ExamplesMy 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.

FeifeiTo 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.

RobWhy's that?

FeifeiWell I'm going skiing in France first.

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

FeifeiSo you don't fancy coming with me then?

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

FeifeiThanks.

BothBye!