hit the dirt

hit the dirt

To drop to the ground, usually in an attempt to avoid danger. All the soldiers hit the dirt when the enemy plane flew overhead.
See also: dirt, hit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • dish the dirt on (someone or something)
  • dirt cheap
  • curly
  • dicky dirt
  • curly dirt
  • dust bunny
  • dust kitten
  • dirt
  • dig up dirt
References in periodicals archive
Jim and I hit the dirt and crawled swiftly to the back side of the ridge and then sprinted a hundred yards or so to a point where we could re-cross unseen.
Wine country gobblers: there's nothing finer than a spring morning in the Golden State
Although scientists are eager for Opportunity to drive off its landing pad and hit the dirt, engineers early this week were proceeding cautiously.
Opportunity knocks; spirit revives
Most of us are tempted to hit the dirt. Of course, being a tall target is bad, but electricity flowing horizontally from head to foot on a person lying on the ground can be lethal.
How to survive lightning. (green gazette)
Cut down his beanstalk, and watch him hit the dirt. Dig a deep trench, and stand by with a pickaxe.
GIANT KILLERS
Kris Bryant fouled a 102-mph pitch directly into Molina's cup, at which point the ball hit the dirt and caromed back into him.
Contreras sympathizes with Cards' Molina
Bellego hit the dirt when making a blast for the lead on the thirds bend of heat 11, which was re-run without him, but was won by Doolan in a 3-3 result.
Berwick hold out to claim the spoils; SPEEDWAY
We saw plenty of potential record book entries hit the dirt during the 2012 season, including a few that will challenge their state crowns.
NAW anywhere, anytime
Coach Martin Johnson insisted the star was not too posh for push-ups and ordered him to hit the dirt to get fit at Pennyhill Park, in Bagshot, Surrey.
Mike fit for a royal role
A SCHEDULE packed with activities for those looking to hit the dirt instead of the tarmac will be a feature of the Carole Nash Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham's NEC.
Hit the dirt at biking event; Motorcycles
Now the Under-20 squad intend to make sure their tournament hopes don't hit the dirt when they face Japan in Victoria on Sunday.
Football: Garry's foul play award; SCOTLAND U20s AT THE WORLD CUP..
Worrall hit the dirt in heat 10, with the referee again calling all four to make the restart, with Davies jetting away to lead, but he was soon passed by Rosen.
Diamonds now relying on play-off favours after narrow win; SPEEDWAY
SCENE: The crash site in Blacker Road; DRAMA BEGINS: The top of Blacker Road; CRASH SCENE: The spot in the former Hopkinsons site where the Toyota Yaris smashed through the hoarding, hit the dirt bank and was then catapulted back out on to Blacker Road where it ended up on its side.
Teens hurt in crash
Mackenzie said: "We will have to hit the dirt running to compete against Manchester United - but we're up for it."
MAC GOES ALL OT TO CAUSE A SHOCKER
The hapless motorist hit the dirt and was left hanging over a wall after a bizarre attempt to steer the vehicle out of a bay.
YOU DOZY PARKER
The rugger boys may be fun and may have produced one of the greatest tries ever witnessed when Gareth Edwards hit the dirt after a monumental handling movement which swept the length of the field.
Foreign affair a threat to game