hat trick

noun

: the scoring of three goals in one game (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player

: the dismissing (see dismiss sense 4) of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket

: a series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments

scored a hat trick when her three best steers corralled top honors—

People

Did you know?

It may surprise some people to learn that the term "hat trick" as it relates to sports actually originated in British cricket. A bowler who retired three batsmen with three consecutive balls was entitled to a new hat at the expense of the club to commemorate this feat. Eventually, the phrase was applied to a single player scoring three goals in any goal sport and later to three victories or successes in sports as different as horse racing and golf. The phrase finally broadened to include a string of three important successes or achievements in any field.

Examples of hat trick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

With one game left, the Patriots’ run game ranks 13th in yards per game, 32nd by DVOA and 30th by EPA. Sept. 9: O-line concerns ‘overblown’ For a hat trick, Mayo told reporters that same morning in a video conference that public concerns about the Patriots’ offensive line were unwarranted. —

Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 Underwood appeared to achieve her fashion hat trick by shedding layers in between her songs. —

Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025 Higgins caught 11 passes for 131 yards to go with his hat trick. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024 Allen has now pulled off the hat trick: Touchdowns passing, receiving and rushing tonight, and four in all. —

Andrew Greif, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hat trick