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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

throw one's hat in the ring en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

From the former practice of throwing one's hat into the boxing ring in order to challenge a boxer.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To announce one's candidacy in a contest.
    • At that time her chances had been excellent. But then two other people had thrown their hats in the ring, Joan Voller and Sidney Hamilton, and both of them were colleagues on State Executive. 2009 November 14, Patricia Shaw, Quadrant, volume LIII, number 461, Sydney, Australia: Quadrant Magazine Limited, page 107:
    • Jürgen Klopp, the much-loved former manager of Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, did not reject the idea that he could fill Nagelsmann’s shoes. But said he was not ready to throw his hat into the ring. 2026 June 30, Kate Connolly, quoting Peter Ahrens, “Unhappy families: Matthäus claims Germany travel plans caused World Cup rift”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
threw one's hat in the ring Tense=Past lexicographic
throw one's hat into the ring alternative lexicographic
throws one's hat in the ring Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
throwing one's hat in the ring Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
thrown one's hat in the ring Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

throw down the gauntlet

Synonyms

put one's name in the hat · toss one's hat in the ring