(hit on) suddenly discover or think of. • noun 1 an instance of hitting or being hit. 2 a successful and popular film, pop record, person, etc. 3 Computing an instance of identifying an item of data which matches the requirements of a search. 4 informal, chiefly N. Amer. a murder carried out by a criminal organization. 5 informal a dose of a narcotic drug.
— PHRASES hit-and-miss done or occurring at random. hit-and-run denoting a road accident from which the driver responsible escapes rapidly without lending assistance. hit someone below the belt 1 Boxing give one’s opponent an illegal low blow. 2 behave unfairly towards someone. hit someone for six Brit. affect someone very severely. with allusion to a forceful hit that scores six runs in cricket. hit the ground running informal start something new at a fast pace and with enthusiasm. hit it off informal be naturally friendly or well suited. hit the nail on the head find exactly the right answer. hit-or-miss as likely to be unsuccessful as successful. hit the road (or N. Amer. trail) informal set out on a journey.
— DERIVATIVES hitter noun.
— ORIGIN Old Norse, ‘come upon, meet with’.
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