pass the hat round

pass the hat round

To collect financial donations from people. We make very little off our CDs, so please pass the hat round if you can! Everyone passed the hat round to help the Jeffersons pay for the cost of their son's treatment.
See also: hat, pass, round
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pass the hat (around) (to someone)

Fig. to collect donations of money from people. (Could also be literal.) Jerry passed the hat around to all the other workers. He passed around the hat to everyone. I'll pass the hat around.
See also: hat, pass
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pass the hat

Ask for financial contributions, as in Let's pass the hat so we can get her a nice going-away gift. This expression alludes to the actual practice of passing a hat around a gathering, but it is also used more figuratively, as in The board decided to pass the hat again among the corporate sponsors. [Late 1800s]
See also: hat, pass
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

pass the hat

or

pass the hat around

If people pass the hat or pass the hat around, they collect money for someone or something. The United States is also passing the hat among rich countries to help to pay for our military effort. We should all pass the hat around for poor old Bernie and his charming wife. Note: The image here is of people using a hat to collect money in.
See also: hat, pass
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

pass the hat round

collect contributions of money from a number of people for a specific purpose.
See also: hat, pass, round
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pass the ˈhat round/around

,

pass round/around the ˈhat

(informal) collect money from a number of people, for example to buy a present for somebody: Anthony had his car radio stolen, so his friends passed the hat round and bought him a new one.
See also: around, hat, pass, round
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pass the hat

To take up a collection of money.
See also: hat, pass
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • pass the hat round/around
  • pass the hat
  • pass the hat (around)
  • pass the hat, to
  • titfer
  • top hat
  • keep (something) under (one's) hat
  • keep something under your hat
  • keep under hat
  • keep under one's hat