high-hat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (for the verb/adjective); Technical/Standard (for the noun, musical instrument)
Quick answer
What does “high-hat” mean?
A pair of cymbals mounted on a stand and played with a foot pedal, primarily used in drum kits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pair of cymbals mounted on a stand and played with a foot pedal, primarily used in drum kits.
To act in a snobbish, superior, or condescending manner towards someone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The musical instrument term is standard in both. The verb/adjective usage ('to high-hat someone') is more established and slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
In both, the figurative use carries a strong negative connotation of unjustified arrogance.
Frequency
The figurative verb/adjective is dated or niche in modern UK English, occasionally found in historical or jazz contexts. In US English, it remains a recognizable, though not extremely common, informal term.
Grammar
How to Use “high-hat” in a Sentence
VERB + OBJECT: He high-hatted his old friends.BE + ADJECTIVE: She was accused of being high-hat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high-hat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After he got the promotion, he started to high-hat his former colleagues at the pub.
American English
- Don't you high-hat me just because you moved to a fancy neighbourhood.
adverb
British English
- He spoke high-hattedly about 'common' entertainment.
American English
- She behaved high-hattedly towards the waitstaff.
adjective
British English
- Her high-hat manner put off the other guests at the village fete.
American English
- I can't stand his high-hat attitude about local restaurants.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in narratives about office culture: 'The new manager high-hats the support staff.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical or cultural studies discussing jazz age slang or social behaviour.
Everyday
Uncommon but understandable, especially among older speakers or in specific contexts describing snobbery.
Technical
Common in music, specifically percussion. Standard term for that part of a drum kit.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high-hat”
- Using 'high-hat' as a noun for a snobbish person (it describes the *behaviour*, not typically the person). Incorrect: 'He is a high-hat.' Correct: 'He is high-hatted' or 'He high-hats people.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly hyphenated ('high-hat'), especially for the verb and adjective forms. The musical instrument can sometimes be found as 'hi-hat' (also hyphenated).
Not typically. You would describe the person's behaviour or attitude as 'high-hat' (adj.) or say they 'high-hat' others (verb). Calling someone 'a high-hat' is non-standard and rare.
No, it is informal and somewhat dated. More formal equivalents include 'condescend to', 'disdain', or 'treat patronisingly'.
'Snob' is a noun for a person with those qualities. 'High-hat' is primarily a verb (the action of being snobbish) or an adjective (describing the snobbish behaviour/manner).
A pair of cymbals mounted on a stand and played with a foot pedal, primarily used in drum kits.
High-hat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈhæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈhæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly, but the verb itself is idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a snobbish person wearing a very tall hat, looking down their nose at you. They are 'high-hatting' you, just like the tall cymbal stand (the high-hat) towers over the drum kit.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL SUPERIORITY IS PHYSICAL HEIGHT (to look down on someone).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'high-hat' MOST LIKELY to be used in its primary, non-figurative sense?