hit (someone or something) with (something)
hit (someone or something) with (something)
1. Literally, to use something to strike someone or something. He hit the bee's nest with a broomstick to knock it out of the tree. Tommy! Do not hit your sister with your toys!
2. To present someone or something suddenly and dispassionately with a formal punishment. I'm not afraid to hit you with detention if any of you talk during class. The government has been hitting companies with steep fines for violating the new regulations.
3. To tell someone some piece of news or information that is very shocking, especially when it is unpleasant or upsetting. They made small talk with me for a while before hitting me with the news that I was being laid off. I don't think the boss is going to be pleased when we hit her with the latest sales figures.
See also: hit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hit someone with something
1. Fig. to charge someone with an amount of money. The government hit us with a big fine. The tax people hit us with a huge tax bill.
2. Fig. to present someone with shocking or surprising news. He was shocked when she hit him with the news that she was leaving. Don't hit me with another piece of bad news!
See also: hit
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- hit with
- hit someone up for something
- hit (up)on (something)
- hit on
- hit on something
- hit back
- hit back (at someone or something)
- hit someone for something
- take a whack at someone/something
- take a whack at something