该短语起源于19世纪美国拳击运动：在早期拳击比赛中，若观众或挑战者想上台参赛，会将自己的帽子扔进拳击台（the ring），以此作为公开表示“愿意参赛”的信号。随着语言演变，其适用场景从体育竞技扩展到各类竞争场景，成为通用短语。
核心语义：公开宣布参与竞争、角逐（尤指竞选职位、争取机会或加入某场有明确对手的较量），强调“主动、公开地表达参赛/竞选意愿”，不含贬义，中性偏正式，主语必须是人（或由人组成的组织），不可用于非生命体。该短语最典型的语境结构（throw one's hat into/in the ring for sth/to do sth）。
如：
When the leading actor dropped out, several young performers threw their hats into the ring.
男主角退出后，几名年轻演员都主动表示愿意公开竞争接替这个角色。
In the dating show, when the female guest said she wanted to find a partner, five male guests threw their hats into the ring immediately.
在相亲节目中，当女嘉宾说她想找个伴侣时，五名男嘉宾立即公开宣布参与竞争。
After much hesitation, she finally threw her hat into the ring for the position of company CEO.
犹豫再三后，她最终决定公开角逐公司首席执行官一职。
He’s been admiring her for months, and yesterday he finally threw his hat into the ring—he asked her out on a date.
他暗恋她好几个月了，昨天终于鼓起勇气“加入竞争”——约她出去约会了。
When Lily mentioned she was single, three of her colleagues immediately threw their hats into the ring to win her heart.
当莉莉说自己单身时，她的三位同事立刻都表示要追求她，争取赢得她的心。
I didn’t want to compete with others, but when I saw her, I knew I had to throw my hat into the ring.
我本不想和别人竞争，但当我见到她时，我知道我必须主动追求她。
The senator announced yesterday that he would throw his hat into the ring for the presidential election next year.
这位参议员昨天宣布，他将公开参加明年的总统大选。
Two major tech companies have thrown their hats into the ring to bid for the new energy project.
两家大型科技公司已公开表示要竞标这个新能源项目。
Our decided to throw our hats into the ring for the school’s annual debate competition.
我们班决定主动报名参加学校的年度辩论赛。
If you want power, you don’t wait for it to be handed to you. You throw your hat into the ring and fight for it.
如果你想要权力，别等别人拱手相让。你得主动入局，为之奋斗。《纸牌屋》
When the state attorney position opened up, Alicia didn’t hesitate—she threw her hat into the ring right away.
当州检察官职位空缺时，艾丽西亚毫不犹豫——立刻公开角逐该职位。《傲骨贤妻》
When the CEO position at Tesla became vacant, many industry leaders threw their hats into the ring. However, Elon Musk was eventually chosen for his unique vision.
当特斯拉的首席执行官职位空缺时，许多行业领袖纷纷加入竞争该职位的行列。然而，埃隆·马斯克最终因其独特的愿景而被选中。（2022研考）
