verb
hits; hit; hitting
to move your hand, a bat, etc., quickly so that it touches someone or something in a forceful or violent way [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to cause (something, such as a ball) to move by hitting it forcefully with a bat, racket, etc.
to touch (something or someone) in a forceful or violent way after moving at a high speed [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to cause or allow (something, such as part of your body) to touch something in a forceful or violent way
[+ obj] :to attack (something or someone)
to affect (something or someone) in a harmful or damaging way [+ obj]
[+ obj] to come to (something) by chance or accident while you are moving
to begin to have or experience (problems, trouble, etc.)
[+ obj] informal :to become suddenly or completely clear to (someone) :strike
[+ obj] :to get or come to (a goal, level, etc.) :reach
[+ obj] informal :to arrive or appear at, in, or on (a place)
[+ obj] informal
to turn (something) on or off with a switch
to move (a switch) to an on or off position
to push down on (the brake pedal or accelerator in a vehicle) in a sudden and forceful way
to succeed in hitting (something aimed at) with a shot, throw, etc. [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to succeed in making (a shot)
[+ obj] :to succeed in making a pass to (another player)
[no obj] :to try to hit the ball with a bat in baseball, cricket, or a similar game
[+ obj] :to produce (a home run, a ground ball, etc.) by batting
[no obj] :to have a specified batting average
to hit the pitches thrown by (a pitcher) [+ obj]
not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] informal :to deal another card to (a player in blackjack)
hit a nerve
hit a/the wall
hit back
[phrasal verb]
to attack or criticize someone who has attacked or criticized you
hit home
hit it
informal - used to tell a group of musicians to begin playing
hit it big
or hit big
hit it off
informal :to become friends :to get along well
hit on/upon
[phrasal verb]
hit on (someone) US informal :to talk to (someone) in order to try to start a sexual relationship
hit on/upon (something) :to succeed in finding (something, such as a solution)
hit out at
[phrasal verb]
hit out at (someone) informal :to make an angry attack against (someone)
hit someone for six
hit the books
hit the buffers
hit the deck
or hit the dirt or hit the ground
to drop down to the ground or floor suddenly
hit the fan
hit the ground running
to begin an effort or activity in a quick, energetic, and effective way
hit the hay
or hit the sack
informal :to go to bed
hit the jackpot
hit the nail on the head
informal :to be exactly right
hit the panic button
see panic button
hit the road
hit the roof
or hit the ceiling
informal :to become very angry or upset
hit the skids
hit the spot
hit the streets
or US hit the pavement
informal :to go out in search of something or for a specific purpose
hit the town
hit the trail
hit up
[phrasal verb]
hit (someone) up or hit up (someone) US informal :to ask (someone) for something (such as money)
hit your stride
know what hit you
noun
plural hits
[count] an act of hitting someone or something
b - used to describe being hit by something (such as a bullet, bomb, punch, etc.); usually used with take
something that is very successful
someone or something that is liked by someone very much
usually + with
a successful effort to reach a desired goal or result
baseball :base hit
computers
an act of connecting to a particular Web site
a successful attempt to find something in a search of a computer database or the Internet
informal :a single dose of an illegal drug
informal :a planned murder done by a paid killer