I'll eat my hat

I'll eat my hat

An expression describing the hypothetical act of penance that one promises to take if they are wrong about something. I'll eat my hat if the repairs end up costing less than $1,000. If you can prove me wrong, I'll eat my hat.
See also: eat, hat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

I'll eat my hat.

Fig. I will be very surprised. (Used to express strong disbelief in something.) If Joe really joins the Army, I'll eat my hat. If this car gives you any trouble, I'll eat my hat.
See also: eat, hat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

eat one's hat

Declare one's certainty that something will not happen or is untrue. This hyperbolic expression almost always follows an if-clause, as in If he's on time, I'll eat my hat, that is, "I'll consume my headgear if I'm wrong." Charles Dickens used it in Pickwick Papers (1837): "If I knew as little of life as that, I'd eat my hat and swallow the buckle whole." [First half of 1800s]
See also: eat, hat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

I'll eat my hat

used to indicate that you think a particular thing is extremely unlikely to happen.
See also: eat, hat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • eat one's hat, to
  • take (something) out in trade
  • take out in trade
  • a chill pill
  • keep (something) under (one's) hat
  • keep something under your hat
  • keep under hat
  • keep under one's hat
  • pass the hat
  • pass the hat (around)
References in periodicals archive
The tournament truly sparked to life in the heavyweight clash between Spain and Portugal, and if there's a finer game in this tournament I'll eat my hat! Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved himself as the best player to have ever graced this planet with a scintillating hat trick, including a late trademark free kick to rescue a point.
Game on!
Dad woke with all the grace of a man who'd been quaffing port since breakfast 'If I'm wrong, I'll eat my hat. No, actually, I'll eat a Christmas cracker!'
A CHRISTMAS QUIZ; It's Christmas Day, the turkey's been gobbled up, so it must be time for some festive family fun
If you can find 150,000 people willing and able, I'll eat my hat.
THE BIG QUESTION
I am writing this in response to Arwa Mahdawi's The Views article ("If plus-size modelling is glorification of obesity, I'll eat my hat", Gulf News, August 9)
What is "normal size" anyway?
Just before it, BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe had said "if there's a goal scored now, I'll eat my hat".
MY SPECIAL DAY; Geoffrey can remember Town's 1938 Wembley final as if it was yesterday
''If I can't answer one question I'll eat my hat!'' Kelly bragged.
TALES FROM THE PAST; Flash back
If Parliament's new measures succeed I'll eat my hat, Their policies aren't working and that is simply that.
Poets' corner
I'll eat my hat if that doesn't win." He wasn't wearing a hat, which concerned me (never trust a man who says he'll eat his hat if he is not in possession of a hat), but I liked his confidence.
The jockey's lost an iron. Do the best horses have to carry a kitchen sink? STEVE PALMER'S RACING EDUCATION ALL THIS WEEK
Another bit of fantastic news is Adam Reach signing a four-year deal - although I'll eat my hat if he sees it out.
All the ingredients of a cup upset; Plucky minnows, poor weather, team changes..
To be perfectly honest, I'll eat my hat if he gets beaten today - he might be short odds but he'll win.
After the Queen; I'M RISKING MY NECK BY DESERTING 25/1 HEROINE
"I've had guys say to me already, 'If you play until you're 30 I'll eat my hat!' "But look, if I make 30 I will be happy.
Why I won't be joining the Welsh exodus on French soil - Warburton
"I've had guys say to me already 'if you play until you're 30 I'll eat my hat!' But look, if I make 30 I will be happy.
Sam sets out 20-game plan to combat star burnout
If the whole development doesn't win any tourism awards I'll eat my hat.
A tale of two towers; Graham Young rues the closure of one of Birmingham's famous landmarks linked to its most famous author
Yes, she might possibly have had a bit of work done, but name me an actress in Hollywood over 35 who hasn't and I'll eat my hat.
FACE IT, EVEN ZETA'S NOT PERFECT; She's one of the world's most beautiful women - but Catherine Zeta-Jones' appearance has captured the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. As the world's celeb-watchers debate whether the actress has lost her looks, JO CARNEGIE, former deputy editor of Heat magazine, argues that every woman's allowed a bad day - even Oscar-winning superstars
If Burgham Park is a deprived area I'll eat my hat.
Horse show gets over vital hurdle; MP critical of event for 'toffs'