1.
taking off one's hat
The literal act of removing one's hat, typically as a sign of respect or as part of etiquette.
室内では脱帽してください。
Please remove your hat indoors.
国歌斉唱の際は脱帽するのがマナーだ。
It is proper etiquette to remove your hat during the national anthem.
式典では全員脱帽の上、黙祷を捧げた。
At the ceremony, everyone removed their hats and offered a moment of silent prayer.
2.
admiration, hats off to, taking one's hat off to
A figurative expression of respect and admiration for someone's skill, effort, or achievement. Equivalent to the English idiom 'I take my hat off to you'.
その努力には脱帽だ。
I take my hat off to that effort.
彼の粘り強さには脱帽する。
I have nothing but admiration for his persistence.
一人であれだけの仕事をこなすとは、脱帽するしかない。
To handle that much work alone — you can only take your hat off to that.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is used in formal settings and etiquette instructions. Sense 2 is the more common everyday usage, expressing genuine admiration. The figurative sense parallels the English idiom exactly.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 脱帽する: to take off one's hat; to admire
- ～には脱帽だ: hats off to ~
- 脱帽するしかない: one can only admire
- 脱帽もの: something worthy of admiration