hit
The word “hit” can be used as a verb or as a noun. It’s usually used when one object contacts another object.
- He got hit by a car.
- A bird hit the side of the building.
- A huge storm is going to hit this area.
- You shouldn’t hit other people.
- This website gets a lot of hits during the school day.
hit = strike; affect with force
a. hit (verb): to punch, beat, hurt, strike
When used as a verb, a person or thing forces another thing or person to move. This is a physical action.
- I hit the ball. (This is a form of play.)
- She hit the tennis ball with her racquet. (This is also play or sport.)
- The little boy hit his sister. (This is an act of violence.)
- Someone hit my car. (Two objects collided.)
- Maria got in trouble for hitting another child in class.
- It’s not nice to hit.
- Hitting isn’t nice.
- She hit her opponent in the face.
- The red car hit the yellow car.
b. hit (noun): something successful
when used as a noun, a “hit” can be a very good thing.
- The movie is a hit. (It’s popular.)
- Their performance was a hit with the audience.
- They have three hit songs. (hit song = successful and popular)
- The guacamole dip was a hit at the party. Everybody loved it.
- The batter got three hits during the game. (In baseball, a hit moves players around the bases, so it’s a good thing.)
- My website is getting a lot of hits. (hits = attention from visitors)
- Their product is a hit.
The thing that they are selling is suddenly very popular.
- In baseball, the batter tries to get a hit.
c. hit = to cause a sudden reaction
If something hits you, you realize something to be true or amazing.
Ideas
- The idea suddenly hit me.
- She hit upon a great idea.
- This really hits me where I live. (This is an expression. It means that something is very, very important to a person.)
Somber / Bad News
- The news of their friend’s death hit them very hard.
- This hasn’t really hit me yet. After a few days, I’ll know how I feel.
- A great idea suddenly hit him.
- It suddenly hit him.
hit = occur to
- The death of her mother hit her really hard.
d. expressions that use "hit"
The word “hit” is extremely common in everyday speech.
- Hit the road, Jack. (Get out of here. Leave!)
- She was involved in a hit-and-run accident. (Another driver hit her and left the scene of the accident. This is illegal.)
- Their investment took a hit. (The value of their investment declined.)
- Hit it! (Begin. This expression can be used to begin a performance.)
- Mark hit the ceiling when he found out how much it would cost to fix his car. (He was surprised and upset)
- We hope to hit our goals for the year. (hit goals = do what is intended)
- He took a hit for the team. (take a hit = make a personal sacrifice)
- Here, take a hit off of this. It’ll make you feel better. (take a hit = try something)
- They hit it off right away. (hit it off = have a good first impression)
- Let’s hit the highway. (Let’s travel on the highway.)
- We’re going to hit it early in the morning. (hit it = start some type of activity)
- Mary hit on George at the party, but he wasn’t interested in her. (hit on = express romantic interest)
- George tried to hit on several different girls at the party. (hit on = attempt to attract)
- They immediately hit it off on the first date.
- He hit all of his goals for the year.