Pronunciation: ' hit
Function: verb
Inflected Form: hit ; hit · ting
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hyttan, probably from Old Norse hitta to meet with, hit
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to reach with or as if with a blow b : to come in contact with <the ball hit the window> c : to strike (as a ball) with an object (as a bat, club, or racket) so as to impart or redirect motion
2 a : to cause to come into contact b : to deliver (as a blow) by action c : to apply forcefully or suddenly < hit the brakes>
3 : to affect especially detrimentally <farmers hit by drought>
4 : to make a request of < hit his friend for 10 dollars> ― often used with up
5 : to discover or meet especially by chance
6 a : to accord with : SUIT b : REACH , ATTAIN <prices hit a new high> c : to arrive or appear at, in, or on < hit town> <the best time to hit the stores> d of fish : to bite at or on e : to reflect accurately < hit the right note> f : to reach or strike (as a target) especially for a score in a game or contest <couldn't seem to hit the basket> g : BAT 2B
7 : to indulge in excessively < hit the bottle>
8 : to deal another card to (as in blackjack)
intransitive verb
1 a : to strike a blow b : to arrive with a forceful effect like that of a blow <the storm hit >
2 a : to come into contact with something b : ATTACK c of a fish : STRIKE 11B d : BAT 1
3 : to succeed in attaining or coming up with something ― often used with on or upon < hit on a solution>
4 obsolete : to be in agreement : SUIT
5 of an internal combustion engine : to fire the charge in the cylinders
– hit · ter noun
– hit it big : to achieve great success
– hit it off : to get along well : become friends <they hit it off immediately>
– hit on : to make especially sexual overtures to
– hit the books : to study especially with intensity
– hit the fan : to have a major usually undesirable impact
– hit the ground running : to begin or proceed quickly, energetically, or effectively
– hit the hay or hit the sack : to go to bed
– hit the high points or hit the high spots : to touch on or at the most important points or places
– hit the jackpot : to become notably and unexpectedly successful
– hit the nail on the head : to be exactly right
– hit the road : LEAVE , TRAVEL also : to set out
– hit the roof or hit the ceiling : to give vent to a burst of anger or angry protest
– hit the spot : to give complete or special satisfaction ― used especially of food or drink
– hit the wall
1 : to reach the point of physical exhaustion during strenuous activity
2 : to reach a limiting point or situation at which progress or success ceases