pull a rabbit out of (your) hat

to do something surprising.

You didn't know how the story would end and then the author pulled a rabbit out of her hat, and it all made sense.

Usage notes: sometimes used to describe a surprising solution to a problem:

The governor pulled a rabbit out of a hat by putting together a budget without increasing taxes.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of pull a rabbit out of a hat, which is often done as a magic trick

• If can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
• I feel it in my bones.
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
• if it comes to the crunch
• if it weren't for
• if it weren't for someone
• if it weren't for something
• if knows what's good for
• if knows what's good for them
• If looks could kill...
• if memory serves
• If Mohammed will not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed.
• if need be
• if push comes to shove
• if someone knows what's good for
• if someone knows what's good for them
• If someone thinks something, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks something, they've got another think coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another think coming!
• If the cap fits .
• If the cap fits wear it.
• if the going gets rough
• if the going gets tough