cock-a-hoop

[ kok-uh-hoop, -hoop, kok-uh-hoop, -hoop ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

in a state of unrestrained joy or exultation; boastfully elated:
He was cock-a-hoop over his victory.
askew; out of kilter:
He knocked his hat cock-a-hoop.

cock-a-hoop

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain

C16: perhaps from the phrase to set the cock a hoop to live prodigally, literally: to put a cock on a hoop, a full measure of grain

And while I speak of this, it is not much amiss to advise thee to correct a little this cock-a-hoop courage of thine.

She said now that she was convinced that her "dear Richard" was perfectly right, and the General was "cock-a-hoop" accordingly.

All cock-a-hoop for it,” struck in Cattledon: “as the housemaids are.

I said that his excellency should find me more cock-a-hoop with Shakespeare than with myself.

Ever shallow, hasty, and positive, he went home quite cock-a-hoop.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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