black hat

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black hat

A villainous person, often such a character in a book or film. The term is a reference to the color of the cowboy hat stereotypically worn by the villain in Westerns (as opposed to the hero's white hat). I'm pretty sure those black hats masterminded the heist—they are known for their lying and cheating.
See also: black, hat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

black hat (or white hat)

used in reference to the bad (or good) party in a situation.
This idiom refers to the colour of the hats traditionally worn by the bad (or good) characters in cowboy films.
See also: black, hat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • white hat
  • Oreo
  • Oreo cookie
  • cowboy
  • cowboy up
  • put balls on
  • put balls on (something)
  • put balls on something
  • mom jeans
  • worn up
References in periodicals archive
"Black Hat USA provides an environment that puts Aruba's WLAN solutions to the test like no other," said Aruba engineer Robbie Gill, Ph.D., who led the design and deployment of the Black Hat network.
Travis Carelock, Technical Director for Black Hat, added that the UAE government was also under threat from cyber attacks.
Black Hat runs from 12 -- 15 December 2011 at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
The Black Hat Abu Dhabi Conference will offer a full range of sessions, including ten training programmes, followed by three briefing tracks running simultaneously alongside the exhibition.
By bringing Black Hat to Abu Dhabi, we have shared years of knowledge that the speakers have accumulated in various fields and have shared it with every one for the improvement of society and the economy.
To increase understanding, delegates at Black Hat Abu Dhabi will not only hear about security threats but will witness them first hand as skilled security consultants and researchers, brought in from across the globe, attempt to hack ATM machines, mobile phones and computers.
The novel follows this epic conflict which features a multitude of other characters including Vith Lords Black Hats Sisters of the Light Captain Hathaline Lieutenant Kilos and a Black Hat named Lady Sygillis of Metatron who figures prominently in the story as it unfolds.
He was wearing all dark clothing including a black hat and a black scarf covering the lower part of his face.
The man is described as black, wearing a black hat, gloves and grey clothing.
Once each option has been assessed for benefits and difficulties, Pohl's suggested sequence for making choices is Yellow Hat, Black Hat, and Red Hat.
"The tension has always been the same," he added, who moderated a panel discussion on disclosure at the recent Black Hat security conference.
For this, he earns an immensely broad and black hat, which he shares with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
He is not just the guy in the black hat that walks in to give you a report card."
A young man dressed in black and wearing a black hat was seen riding a BMX-style bike at the time.
And the 78-year-old even travels in disguise dressed in a black priest's robe and black hat.