cap in hand
In a humble and respectful manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He went to his boss cap in hand to ask for a raise.”
“You must go to the neighbors cap in hand to apologize for the noise.”
“They stand cap in hand before the judge to ask for a lighter sentence.”
“After losing all his money, he had to go to his parents cap in hand to ask for help.”
“The small business owner had to approach the bank cap in hand after the unexpected repairs drained their savings account.”
“She realized her mistake and returned to the team cap in hand, asking if she could have her old job back.”
“The disgraced politician returned to his constituents cap in hand, hoping they would forgive his past mistakes and grant him another chance.”
Attested from the 19th century, the expression draws from the social requirement of removing one’s headwear to signal respect or submission. The gesture ensured the subject remained uncovered while addressing a superior, a physical manifestation of deference that has survived as a metaphor for humble petitioning long after the hat itself became optional.
- 01
back of one's hand
A display of disrespect or scorn.
- 02
bear a hand
To make haste; to help quickly.
- 03
big hand
Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).
- 04
bite someone's hand off
To enthusiastically accept an offer.
- 05
bite the hand that feeds one
To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).
- 06
bust a cap
To fire a weapon; to shoot with a gun.
- 07
cap it all off
To finish or complete something; to add a finishing touch.
- 08
cap over the windmill
In a bizarre or eccentric manner.
Last updated August 10, 2026