hat trick

noun

Etymology: Exocentric compound of hat (“head covering”, noun) + trick (“element of a magician’s or variety entertainer’s act; entertaining and difficult physical action”, noun). Sense 2 (“achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls”)—the original sporting sense—refers to the commemorative hat formerly given as a prize to the bowler by his club.

1. Any magic trick performed with a hat, especially one involving pulling an object (traditionally a rabbit) out of an apparently empty hat.
2. An achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.

   “Ever heard of a Gordie Howe hat trick? It comprises a goal, an assist, and a fighting major penalty.”

3. An achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.

   “Jones got a hat trick yesterday. Let’s see if he can do better today.”

4. An achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.

   “In ice hockey, it’s customary for fans to throw their hats on to the rink after a player scores a hat trick.”

5. An achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.
6. An achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.

   “The car salesman came home with front-row seats to the weekend game after achieving a hat trick by selling three cars that day.”

   “And with the debut of his new series Hyperion Bay in 1998, [Joseph] Dougherty accomplished the rare "hat trick" in television: the pilot was written, executive-produced, and codirected by Dougherty.”

7. A means of securing a seat in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament placing their hat upon it during an absence.