hit on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Suddenly think of a clever idea or solution

Realisation

Why “on”? An idea reaches the mind and becomes clear.

“She hit on a great idea.”
She suddenly thought of a clever idea.
“After several failed attempts, Omar hit on a way to fix the leak.”
Omar suddenly thought of a clever way to fix the leak.

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“She hit on a great idea.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

catch on

Same on pattern: realisation

Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something

dawn on

Same on pattern: realisation

Suddenly become understood by someone

hit back

Same base verb: hit

Retaliate

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