Definition of hit
hit;
hitting
transitive verb
1 a
:to reach with or as if with a sudden blow
- His mom told him to stop hitting his sister.
b
:to come in quick forceful contact with
- the ball hit the window
- He was hit by a car.
- The tank was hit by enemy fire.
c
:to strike (something, such as a ball) with an object (such as a bat, club, or racket) so as to impart or redirect motion
- hit a fastball into the outfield
2 a
:to cause to come into contact
- She accidentally hit her head getting into the car.
b
:to deliver (something, such as a blow) by action
c
:to apply forcefully or suddenly
- hit the brakes
- Will someone hit the lights?
3
:to affect especially detrimentally
- farmers hit by drought
- Many families were hit hard during the recession.
4
:to make a request of
- hit his friend for 10 dollars
- hit us up for some change
5
:to discover or meet especially by chance
- prospectors hitting gold
- hit a snowstorm while driving home
- hit a run of bad luck
6 a
:to accord with :suit
- hits public tastes
c
:to arrive or appear at, in, or on
- hit town
- the best time to hit the stores
- The newest issue hits newsstands tomorrow.
d
of fish
:to bite at or on
- will only hit live bait
e
:to reflect accurately
- hit the right note
f
:to reach or strike (something, such as a target) especially for a score in a game or contest
- couldn't seem to hit the basket
7
:to indulge in excessively
- hit the bottle
8
:to deal another card to (as in blackjack)
- hit me
intransitive verb
1 a
:to strike a blow
- boxers hitting furiously at each other
b
:to arrive with a forceful effect like that of a blow
- the storm hit
2 a
:to come into contact with something
- the plate shattered when it hit
b
:attack
- where the terrorists would hit next
3
:to succeed in attaining or coming up with something
—often used with on or upon
- hit on a solution
5
of an internal combustion engine
:to fire a quantity of mixed fuel and air in the cylinders (see cylinder 2b)
- the engine wouldn't hit
—
hitter
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 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
