grab/hit/make the headlines
to be an important item of news in the media
He always manages to grab the headlines.
grab/hit/make the headlines
to be an important item of news in the media
He always manages to grab the headlines.
hit (it) big
(informal) to be very successful
The band has hit big in the US.
hit the buffers
(informal) if a plan, somebody’s career, etc. hits the buffers, it suddenly stops being successful
The former tennis star’s comeback trail hit the buffers yesterday when she lost in straight sets.
hit the deck
(informal) to fall to the ground
hit/knock somebody for six
(British English) to affect somebody very deeply
The business over the lawsuit had really knocked her for six.
hit the ground running
(informal) to start doing something and continue very quickly and successfully
hit the hay/sack
(informal) to go to bed
I decided to hit the sack and have an early night.
hit/strike home
if a remark, etc. hits/strikes home, it has a strong effect on somebody, in a way that makes them realize what the true facts of a situation are
Her face went pale as his words hit home.
hit somebody (straight/right) in the eye
to be very obvious to somebody
hit it
(informal) used to tell somebody to start doing something, such as playing music
Hit it, Louis!
hit it off (with somebody)
(informal) to have a good friendly relationship with somebody
We hit it off straight away.
hit the jackpot
to make or win a lot of money quickly and unexpectedly
hit/miss the mark
to succeed/fail in achieving or guessing something
He blushed furiously and Robyn knew she had hit the mark.
The film misses the mark because it just isn't believable.
hit the nail on the head
to say something that is exactly right
hit/touch/strike a (raw/sensitive) nerve
to mention a subject that makes somebody feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.
You touched a raw nerve when you mentioned his first wife.
My remarks about divorce had unwittingly touched a raw nerve.
The article struck a raw nerve as it revived unpleasant memories.
hit/strike pay dirt
(informal) to suddenly be in a successful situation, especially one that makes you rich
The band really hit pay dirt with their last album.
hit/strike the right/wrong note
(especially British English) to do, say or write something that is suitable/not suitable for a particular occasion
It is a bizarre tale and the author hits just the right note of horror and disbelief.
Unfortunately, the president struck the wrong note in his speech, ignoring the public mood.
hit the road/trail
(informal) to start a journey
The following spring I hit the road.
hit the roof (also go through the roof)
(informal) to suddenly become very angry
hit the spot
(informal) if something hits the spot it does exactly what it should do
hit (your) stride (North American English) (British English get into your stride)
to begin to do something with confidence and at a good speed after a slow, uncertain start
After a nervous start, he finally hit his stride in the second set.
The team took time to hit stride.
The show finally hit its stride in the second season.
hit a/the wall
to reach a point when you cannot continue or make any more progress
We hit a wall and we weren't scoring.
I’ve hit a wall with my marathon training.
What do you do when you hit the wall at work?
hit somebody when they’re down
to continue to hurt somebody when they are already defeated
hit somebody where it hurts
to affect somebody where they will feel it most
hit/strike the woodwork
(British English, informal) to hit the wooden frame of the goal in the game of football (soccer), instead of scoring a goal
She hit the woodwork twice before scoring.
not know what hit you
(informal) to be so surprised by something that you do not know how to react
when the shit hits the fan
(taboo, slang) when somebody in authority finds out about something bad or wrong that somebody has done
When the shit hits the fan, I don't want to be here.