Idioms

Hi xamoyela blogspot!

I have 2 questions. I don't understand what these idioms mean:

1. to be 'against the clock'
2. to do something 'at the drop of a hat'

Thanks,
John T.


Hi John T.!

Those are great idioms!

Well, to be against the clock means that you are fighting with time... you don't have much time, so you have to rush, to be in a hurry.

e.g. He was heavily against the clock, but he managed to get all his work done in time.

Now, 'to do something at the drop of a hat', is a very nice visual idiom. How quickly does a hat fall off your head (if wind is blowing or if you give it a little tap)? 

The answer is: immediately. So if you do something at the drop of a hat, it means you do, whatever that may be, in an instant, immediately... straight away.

e.g. Mary: "Lisa, would you go out with George Clooney if he ever asked you?"

        Lisa: "George Clooney? I would! At the drop of a hat!"

Hope that helps! 

A:)