hats off UK /hæts‿ˈɒf/US /hæts‿ˈɔf/ exclamation2 •(old-fashioned) Used as an instruction for people to remove their hats out of respect, generally towards someone of importance.Soh! stand clear gentlemen.—Novv you knovv there vvill be a cry of dovvn!—dovvn!—hats off! silence!—Then up curtain,—and let us see vvhat our painters have done for us. — 1781 •(figurative) Used to express approval or praise: congratulations, kudos, well done!Hats off to the Jamaican bobsled team for their able representation of their country in the Olympics against serious obstacles.
