Meaning & use
doff a cap
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiomformalliterary
Lifts or removes a cap as a polite greeting or sign of respect.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'doff a cap' or 'doff your cap'. The simple verb 'doff' is used with other hats too.
Patterns
- doff a cap to someone
- doff your cap
- doff a cap in greeting
The old man doffed a cap to the passing funeral procession.
In the story, the servant doffs a cap whenever the lady enters.
He doffed a cap and smiled at the strangers.
phraseidiomfigurativeformal
Shows respect or admiration for someone, often in a slightly formal or playful way.
Grammar: Often used figuratively in the pattern 'doff a cap to someone'.
Patterns
- doff a cap to someone
- doff a cap to something
We doff a cap to the nurses who worked through the crisis.
The article doffs a cap to the inventors of the early computer.
Common combinations
- doff your cap
- Visitors were expected to doff their caps inside the church.
- doff a cap to someone
- Let's doff a cap to the volunteers who made this possible.
- doff a hat
- He doffed a hat as the carriage went by.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tip your hat
- More common and slightly less formal; it usually means briefly touching or lifting the hat rather than taking it off.
- raise your hat
- Similar meaning, but often used as a literal action or as a symbol of praise.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: doff a cap or don a cap?
doff a cap vs don a cap
'Don a cap' means put a cap on, while 'doff a cap' means take it off or lift it.
Practice
What does 'doff a cap' mean in 'He doffed a cap to the judge'?
Choose one answer.
'Doff' means take off or lift a hat, especially as a polite gesture. 'Put on' would be 'don a cap'; buying or throwing away a cap is not the meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “doff a cap”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.