[hat trick] n [prob. fr. the former practice of rewarding the feat with the gift of a hat] (1877) 1: the retiring of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket
2: the scoring of three goals in one game (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player
3: a succession of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments "scored a hat trick when her three best steers corralled top honors --People"