to ask a group of people to give money.

Our group has tried passing the hat, and they've had auctions and done various things to raise funds.

Usage notes: usually said about money that is given to help pay for something or to reward someone

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of passing a hat (= asking people to put money in a hat that is handed from one person to another)

• It's a bit steep!
• it's about time
• it's a crying shame
• It's a crying shame!
• It's a dog's life.
• It's a fair cop.
• It's a free country!
• it's all can do
• it's all can do to do something
• It's all go.
• It's all Greek to me.
• It's all over bar the shouting.
• it's all someone can do
• it's all someone can do to do something
• it's all systems go
• it's all that can do
• it's all that can do to do something
• it's all that someone can do
• it's all that someone can do to do something
• It's all the same to me.
• It's a long story.
• It's an ill wind .
• It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
• It's a small world.
• it's a wonder