Main Entry: ¹hit

Pronunciation: \ˈhit\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): 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