weər tuː hæts
Work
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Wearing two different hats simultaneously
What does "wear two hats" mean?
- To have two different roles or responsibilities
- To hold two positions at once
Examples
- In small companies, people often wear two hats.
- She wears two hats—manager and accountant.
- It's hard wearing two hats in this organization.
Origin
From the tradition of different hats representing different jobs or roles in society.
How to use it
Common in small businesses and startups. Can imply being stretched.
Similar expressions
have dual roles
multi-task
juggle responsibilities
Opposites
have one role
single focus
Related idioms
- hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what is true or important
- call it a day
To stop working for the day
- have one's hands full
To be very busy with something
- learn the ropes
To learn the basics of a job or activity
- it's not rocket science
It's not difficult to understand or do
- get your act together
To organize yourself and start behaving more responsibly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "wear two hats" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.