throw (one's) hat in(to) the ring

throw (one's) hat in(to) the ring

To announce that one is going to be competing with others, especially in a political election. I'm thinking about throwing my hat in the ring for class president! As has been widely predicted, yesterday the governor threw his hat into the ring for the presidential election next year.
See also: hat, ring, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

throw one's hat in the ring

Also, toss one's hat in the ring. Announce one's candidacy or enter a contest, as in The governor was slow to throw his hat in the ring in the senatorial race. This term comes from boxing, where throwing a hat in the ring formerly indicated a challenge; today the idiom nearly always refers to political candidacy. [c. 1900]
See also: hat, ring, throw
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

throw your hat into the ring

mainly BRITISH or

throw your hat in the ring

If you throw your hat into the ring or throw your hat in the ring, you become one of the people taking part in a competition or contest. She lost the nomination after Kinkel threw his hat into the ring at the last moment. Jimmy Elsby, another assistant general secretary, is expected to throw his hat in the ring. Note: People sometimes use cap instead of hat. He said straightaway that he would play. I am delighted that he has decided to throw his cap into the ring. Note: Other verbs are sometimes used instead of throw. Denmark's Morten Olsen has put his hat into the ring to succeed Richard Moller Nielsen as national team coach. Note: In the past, prize fighters at showgrounds used to challenge people to fight them. Someone who was willing to accept the challenge would throw their hat into the ring.
See also: hat, ring, throw
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

throw your hat in (or into) the ring

indicate willingness to take up a challenge or enter a contest.
1998 Times We have been anticipating that South Africa would throw its hat into the ring for some time and have a high regard for the candidacy.
See also: hat, ring, throw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

throw your ˈhat into the ring

announce officially that you are going to compete in an election, a competition, etc: Another candidate has now thrown his hat into the ring for the elections later this year.
See also: hat, ring, throw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

throw one’s hat in the ring

tv. to indicate that one is to be a contestant or a candidate. The con claimed he needed parole so he could throw his hat in the ring for the mayoral election.
See also: hat, ring, throw
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • titfer
  • pass the hat
  • pass the hat (around)
  • keep (something) under (one's) hat
  • keep something under your hat
  • keep under hat
  • keep under one's hat
  • top hat
  • stovepipe hat
  • (as) black as (one's) hat