Comments on: What does the following sentence mean?

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:10:59 +0000

The "hat" statement doesn't relate to moving at all. It is an English idiom meaning very quickly, without having to think about the decision. It comes from the old tradition of starting a competition by waving a cap. You can also equate it with the suddenness of a hat blowing off in the wind, I suppose.
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By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:05:59 +0000

"hat" doesn’t quite mean anything if it’s by itself…
"Drop of a hat" is an old saying meaning quickly, at that instant

It’s just one of those weird phrases.
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By: Victor

Victor — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:19:59 +0000

I believe it means that the hat represents the head of the nation, the boss of a company, the leader of a group, the captain of a team, even a spiritual guide, etc. So the people would move away (if possible/the sooner-the better) when the followed "head" drops down which means: is dead, defeated, moved away or to a side, replaced, etc.
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By: MyDaroga

MyDaroga — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:43:59 +0000

It seems like a fairly simplistic sentence, as the other replier noted. Are you perhaps confused in regard to the phrase "drop of a hat"? It’s an idiom that basically means "immediately".
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http://www.goenglish.com/AtTheDropOfAHat.asp

By: labrada87

labrada87 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:57:59 +0000

drop of a hat- An idiom meaning to happen quickly, easily. For example, in the amount of time it would take a hat to fall to the ground.

SO, if given the chance many Americans would move out of where they lived to another BETTER place (to change one’s residence or place of business; move) right away.
References :
http://www.dictionary.com
http://www.urbandictionary.com

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:13:59 +0000

At the drop of a hat means something is done ( quickly and easily, "without needing to decide." )-- "but many Americans would relocate (move out) as quickly as possible if they could."
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By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:56:59 +0000

many Americans would move rather quickly if they were able to
"at the drop of a hat" means quickly, easily, without needing to think over it
http://www.goenglish.com/AtTheDropOfAHat.asp
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By: GiGiMonkey

GiGiMonkey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:09:59 +0000

Many Americans make excuses for not going after what they really want...?
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By: Ryan B

Ryan B — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:20:59 +0000

I think this talks about people being pissed at the current real estate market.
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By: Ginger Ninja

Ginger Ninja — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:40:59 +0000

"Many Americans would move somewhere else really fast if it was only possible."
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