wear two hats

wear two hats

To hold or function in more than one position or role. I'm able to work from home, so I'm able to wear two hats: stay-at-home dad and website developer. Ever since our editorial assistant left the company, I've been having to wear two hats.
See also: hat, two, wear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wear two hats (more than one hat), to

To play two (or more) roles; to hold two different positions. This expression alludes to the hats of two different uniforms. The practice is ancient, and Gilbert and Sullivan made glorious fun of it in The Mikado in the person of Pooh-Bah, who holds practically every office in the town of Titipu. The term dates from the mid-nineteenth century. A 1972 issue of the Village Voice stated, “I wear two hats. Are you asking me this question as president of the Bartenders’ Union or as chairman of the ABC?”
See also: hat, one, two, wear
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • wear two hats (more than one hat), to
  • not able
  • sleep
  • go critical
  • all able-bodied people
  • get through to (someone or something)
  • able to take just so much
  • able to take only so much
  • able to make (something)
  • able to make an event
References in periodicals archive
When a person owns a lease and a share of freehold they effectively wear two hats: one as a leaseholder and the other as a joint owner of the freehold.
I own a flat with a share of freehold. Do I still need the landlord's consent before I carry out structural works to my flat? LEGAL Q&A
You wear two hats in this series-as an executive producer and director.
Shawn Levy dishes on Winona, Priah, ST3's most intense episode and his biggest fear for the show
IT: We wear two hats. We have real-estate assets nationwide apart from being a creditor to several corporations who are in the real-estate business.
Real Estate + Technology
Very clear naman 'yung kinommunicate natin na we wear two hats: one as country coordinator tayo ang taga-bridge ng ASEAN at tsaka ng China.
PH is new country coordinator to bridge ASEAN with China
I watched you standing next to Jacinda as she said that she and you were "really excited that in June our team will expand from two to three, and that we'll be joining the many parents out there who wear two hats".
Advice for stay-at-home dad Clarke Gayford, New Zealand's first man
This year we'll join the many parents who wear two hats.
Kiwi one on the way for prime minister
This year we'll join the many parents who wear two hats. I'll be PM & a mum while Clarke (Gayford) will be 'the first man of fishing' & stay at home dad," she wrote on the micro-blogging site.
NZ Prime Minister pregnant with first child
My role requires me to wear two hats: one as a programme analyst, and the other as a communications analyst.
MANAMA SHAPERS
I'm lucky to wear two hats; one of a chief data scientist and the other of a chief marketing officer at Angel Broking.
The CMO Who's Broking Big with Data
The president-elect must be prepared to wear two hats: a hard hat and a military helmet - creating employment and preserving national security.
Look for these qualities in candidates
"In essence, our Reserve instructors wear two hats between the two units, and they do an incredible job.
Schoolhouse reservists seamlessly integrate with active duty
For having to two wear two hats, and knowing which one is on at all times, can be confusing -- for you and the client.
In the cross-hairs of the DOL rule: Dually registered advisors
I wear two hats. Now I have to learn a third hat -- learn how to be a father.
Chris Monroy
SENIOR advocate Harish Salve, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, said: " You ( BCCI) cannot wear two hats side by side." Citing apex court judgements, Salve said BCCI was involved in public functions and has been allowed to use stadiums to promote the game of cricket.
SC SHACKLES DEFIANT SRINI
In defiance of the court order, Zardari continued to wear two hats of a head of state and Chairman of PPP.
A letter from Islamabad