# hold onto your hat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hold-onto-your-hat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One should prepare for a surprise or shock.

## Examples

- Hold onto your hat, because the news is quite surprising.
- The director told the staff to hold onto their hats before announcing the sudden company merger.
- You should hold onto your hat, as the final chapter of this novel contains a twist that completely redefines the entire plot.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.