hand someone his hat: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generalneutralMachine
  • literal: to give a person his physical hat; to hand an item of headwear to someone.

  Examples

  Beta

  • When he entered the room, I handed him his hat so he could take a seat comfortably.

    When he entered the room, I handed him his hat so he could take a seat comfortably.

  • At the coat check, the attendant handed each guest their hat as they left the event.

    At the coat check, the attendant handed each guest their hat as they left the event.

  • She quickly handed him his hat before they stepped outside into the chilly evening.

    She quickly handed him his hat before they stepped outside into the chilly evening.

  • The valet handed the driver his hat along with the keys to the car.

    The valet handed the driver his hat along with the keys to the car.

• 2.

  chiefly USinformalMachine
  • figurative: to require or force someone to leave; to dismiss or send someone away, often from a job or position.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After the scandal, the company handed him his hat and removed him from the CEO position.

    After the scandal, the company handed him his hat and removed him from the CEO position.

  • When the project failed, the manager was handed his hat by the board without any ceremony.

    When the project failed, the manager was handed his hat by the board without any ceremony.

  • The coach handed the player his hat after the poor performance in the final match.

    The coach handed the player his hat after the poor performance in the final match.