| Idiom | Hat in Hand |
|---|---|
| Example | Hat in hand, I went to the judge pleading for mercy. |
| Meaning | to behave in a humble and sorry way; to beg or plead for a favor or a pardon |
| Origin | For centuries people have begged for money in public by holding out a container to passersby. Often it was a hat. Taking off your hat in the presence of others is an act of respect. So a person, even one without a hat, who is begging for favors or forgiveness is a person with his or her "hat in hand." A related saying is "pass the hat" (see page 143). |
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