hang on to your hat

hang on to your hat

Get ready for what's coming or about to happen! Hang on to your hats, everybody—we're about to see what these fireworks can do!See also: hang, hat, on

Hang on to your hat!

 and Hold on to your hat!Fig. Get ready for what's coming!; Here comes a big shock! There is a rough road ahead. Hang on to your hat! Here we go! Hold on to your hat!See also: hang, on

hang on to your hat

Also, hold your hat. An expression warning someone of a big surprise. For example, Hang on to your hat, we're about to go public, or Hold your hat-we just won the lottery. This expression may allude, according to lexicographer Eric Partridge, to a wild ride on a rollercoaster. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] See also: hang, hat, on