at the drop of a hat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They're a defence that goes to pieces at the drop of a hat.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

“They are using it at the drop of a hat because it makes day to day operations easier,” said Tammie Gregg, deputy director for the A.C.L.U.’s National Prison Project.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2023

I have to rope my friends in, I have to rope other actors in knowing that I’m going to have to return the favor at the drop of a hat.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2023

They failed to coordinate search and rescue within their own state organizations and with foreign rescue teams that were flying in at the drop of a hat.

From Slate • May 16, 2023

They joshed you at the drop of a hat.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown