hit

hit · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To bring one's hand or a tool into contact with something forcefully.

  2. 2.

    To come into contact with something suddenly and forcefully.

  3. 3.

    To reach or arrive at a place or level.

  4. 4.

    To affect badly; to have a negative impact on.

  5. 5.

    To suddenly occur to or be realized by someone.

  6. 6.

    An instance of striking or being struck.

  7. 7.

    A successful song, movie, or other production.

  8. 8.

    A successful search result or visit to a website.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hit the road — leave; start traveling
  • •
    hit it off — get along well immediately
  • •
    hit the nail on the head — be exactly right
  • •
    hit rock bottom — reach the lowest point
  • •
    hit the sack — go to bed
  • •
    hit or miss — uncertain; inconsistent

Related words

Antonyms: avoid, miss
See also: beat, miss, punch, strike
Synonyms: knock, punch, smack, strike

Etymology

From Old Norse "hitta" (to come upon, meet with, hit upon), from Proto-Germanic "*hitjaną." The word replaced the Old English "slēan" in many contexts. The invariable form (hit-hit-hit) developed through analogy in Middle English.