pass the hat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass the hat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of collecting money from a group of people, often for a specific cause or purpose. Example: "At the end of the event, we decided to pass the hat to help cover the costs of the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Now we pass the hat.

The New York Times

People feel sorry for her and pass the hat.

The New Yorker

Falu has two boys with him who dance and pass the hat.

The New Yorker

At the end of the performance, he would pass the hat.

The New Yorker

Bam! Bam! Bam! Then they pass the hat and go to the next car".

The New York Times

"People beg, borrow and pass the hat around the community to hire attorneys".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was in July , 1931 on a pass-the-hat gig in the South of France, that he first heard real American jazz.

The New Yorker

They lived on petty theft, fortune-telling, and pass-the-hat music, and what food they could find; the Reinhardt family, in Manouche fashion, had a particular fondness for niglos — feral hedgehogs roasted whole with their needles on.

The New Yorker

You can already sense a dwindling in the number of new series (as opposed to one-off or viral videos) that are truly being produced on a shoestring: pass-the-hat projects like Jessica Mills's "Awkward Embraces" or Michael Cyril Creighton's "Jack in a Box".

The New York Times - Arts

With the influx of artists — they could buy forsaken houses for a few thousand dollars — it became the scene of crowded literary readings by writers like Amy Sohn, Meg Wolitzer and André Aciman, and pass-the-hat country-and-western and jazz performances by musicians like Norah Jones and Smokey Hormel.

The New York Times

But it does get a tad creepy when it's turned into a mandated pass-the-hat rescue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass the hat" when you want to describe an informal way to collect money, especially among a small group where the contributions are voluntary.

Common error

Avoid using "pass the hat" in formal or business settings where a more structured fundraising approach is expected. Use more formal terms like "solicit donations" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass the hat" functions primarily as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of collecting money, often in an informal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

8%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "pass the hat" is a common and acceptable phrase used to describe the act of collecting money, especially within a group. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, primarily in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. When writing, it's crucial to consider the context, opting for more formal alternatives like ""take up a collection"" or ""solicit donations"" in professional settings. While the phrase is widely understood, using it inappropriately can detract from the intended message. The phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take up a collection

A more formal and direct way of asking for money.

solicit donations

Implies a more organized or official fundraising effort.

ask for contributions

A general term for requesting assistance, not limited to money.

seek funding

Suggests a more formal process of obtaining financial support.

appeal for funds

Emphasizes the urgency or need for financial assistance.

hold a fundraiser

Refers to organizing an event to raise money.

rattle the can

An informal term for collecting money, often in a public space.

chip in

To contribute money to a common fund.

dig deep

Encourages people to donate generously.

crowdfunding

A modern method of raising money from a large number of people online.

FAQs

What does "pass the hat" mean?

The idiom "pass the hat" means to ask for or collect money, especially from a group of people, typically for a specific cause or purpose.

What's a less informal way to say "pass the hat"?

You could use phrases like "take up a collection" or "solicit donations" for a more formal tone.

How can I use "pass the hat" in a sentence?

For example, "After the performance, they decided to "pass the hat" to collect money for the musicians."

Is "pass the hat" appropriate for business communication?

While understandable, it's more appropriate for informal situations. In business contexts, consider using "seek funding" or "ask for contributions".