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

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.

Hang your hat on a temporary resting place.

"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

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