cock-a-hoop — [ˌkɔk ə ˈhu:p US ˌka:k ] adj [not before noun] BrE [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: set the cock on the hoop to celebrate (16 17 centuries)] pleased and excited about something, especially something you have done cock a hoop at/about/over ▪ Robert s… … Dictionary of contemporary English
cock-a-hoop — a. Boastful; defiant; exulting. Also used adverbially. Syn: boastful, braggart(prenominal), bragging(prenominal), braggy, big, crowing, self aggrandizing, vainglorious. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cock-a-hoop — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ extremely pleased. ORIGIN from the phrase set cock a hoop, apparently denoting the action of turning on a tap and allowing liquor to flow … English terms dictionary
cock-a-hoop — [käk΄ə ho͞op′] adj. [Fr coq à huppe, cock with a crest] 1. in very high spirits; elated; exultant 2. boastful; conceited … English World dictionary
cock-a-hoop — /kok euh hoohp , hoop , kok euh hoohp , hoop /, adj. 1. in a state of unrestrained joy or exultation; boastfully elated: He was cock a hoop over his victory. 2. askew; out of kilter: He knocked his hat cock a hoop. [1520 30; orig. uncert.] * * * … Universalium
cock-a-hoop — [16] Cock a hoop comes from a 16th and 17th century expression set the cock on the hoop ‘make merry’ – but exactly how the expression arose is not clear. One obvious interpretation is that it meant ‘put the tap on the barrel’ – that is, let the… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
cock-a-hoop — adjective Etymology: from the phrase to set cock a hoop to be festive Date: 1663 1. triumphantly boastful ; exulting 2. awry … New Collegiate Dictionary
cock-a-hoop — adjective Exultant, very happy, triumphant. I have to say I felt pretty cock a hoop straight after my epidural but, some hours later, my head felt as though someone large and heavy had been sitting on it … Wiktionary
cock-a-hoop — ADJ: usu v link ADJ If you are cock a hoop, you are extremely pleased about something that you have done. [INFORMAL, OLD FASHIONED] … English dictionary
cock-a-hoop — adjective extremely pleased. Origin C17: from the phr. set cock a hoop, of unknown origin, appar. denoting the action of turning on a tap and allowing liquor to flow … English new terms dictionary
