hit the high spots

hit the high spots

1. To cover or emphasize the most significant or vital aspects of something. We don't have a lot of time, so just hit the high spots from his speech.
2. To visit the most interesting or exciting places in a particular city or town. This summer, we're visiting Chicago for the first time, and we're going to hit all the high spots.
See also: high, hit, spot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hit the high spots

Fig. to do only the important, obvious, or good things. I won't discuss the entire report. I'll just hit the high spots. First, let me hit the high spots; then I'll tell you the details.
See also: high, hit, spot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hit the high spots

Also, hit the high points. Pay attention only to the most important places or parts. For example, We only had a week in New York, but we managed to hit the high spots, or His speech was brief, but he hit all the high points. This idiom alludes to running a dustcloth or paintbrush over an uneven surface and touching only the raised portions. [c. 1900]
See also: high, hit, spot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hit the high spots

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If you hit the high spots, you give attention only to the most important parts of something. The history of English is long and complicated, and we can only hit the high spots.
See also: high, hit, spot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hit the high spots

visit places of entertainment. informal
See also: high, hit, spot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

hit the high spots, to

To do something superficially. Presumably this expression comes from sloppy cleaning or polishing, that is, attending to the raised surfaces and ignoring the rest. Used since about 1900, it is applied to any kind of haphazard performance.
See also: high, hit
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (it's) (a)bout time
  • about time
  • about time too
  • any fool can/could...
  • any fool could (do something)
  • a (damn) sight more (something)
  • a sight more
  • (and) not before time!
  • something else again
References in periodicals archive
George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore's fast, frantic and fun Royal spoof didn't always hit the high spots during this second series, but it certainly ended just as it began - in brilliant, laugh-out-loud form.
Please give us more right rollicking Royal fun; THE TOP TV TOPICS with paddy shennan, the man with the remote
Dawdon hit the high spots as they swept away Marsden to go top and, with both Tudhoe and Esh Winning securing emphatic victories, the championship race has suddenly taken on a different complexion.
DURHAM CRICKET LEAGUE
First flights of geese will want to hit the high spots and walk downhill.
The Zen of Zink: goose-killing grad school with the man
The only other winners on a rain-affected afternoon were Normanby Hall, who defeated Hartlepool by three wickets, and Middlesbrough, who enjoyed a similar margin of success over Guisborough as skipper James Lowe hit the high spots with five wickets and 61 runs.
Ayton power to cup triumph; Local cricket
A GLAMOUROUS future beckons for teenager Jodie Duckworth - who was once close to death and is now aiming to hit the high spots as a showbiz dancer and beauty queen.
JODIE'S FIT TO CHASE GLAMOUR DREAM; So close to death, Jodie now faces exciting future
It needs to, since setting up the premise is often the hardest part of a musical or play, and "Young Frankenstein: The Musical" doesn't truly hit the high spots until it takes residence in the castle in Transylvania Heights.
Energized `Frankenstein' jolts Hanover; `Monster' of a show pays tribute to venerable comedy
My stud fee would go up considerably!" Likelihood: 4/5 The Giant Bolster RSA Chase Both David Bridgwater (Stayers' Hurdle, Festival Trophy, County Hurdle) and Rodi Greene (Coral Cup) have already enjoyed festival success but neither has hit the high spots for some time, although The Giant Bolster may be the vehicle to do both a good turn.
Bolster could be a boost for two old-timers; THE LIST
Labour has spent millions of pounds in those communities, yet they still hit the high spots on all the deprivation indicators.
Gordon's abyss; YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OFWALES
DAREDEVIL chef Andrew Fairlie is to hit the high spots - by staging a Burns supper on top of Africa's highest mountain.
Rabbie summit special
David Coulthard has quit Formula One at a time when, he predicts, the high-speed spectacle is geared up to hit the high spots of excitement.
Coulthard backs F1 rule changes burning rubber
But my old club didn't exactly hit the high spots during the week, needing a last-minute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal to earn a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in the Algarve Cup.
Football: Gordon, your plans seem a little bit two dimensional
AN Anglesey-based Welsh Cob stallion has hit the high spots.
Top of the trots
Already he has hit the high spots with the Potters to such an extent that Villa manager Martin O'Neill may soon have him back banging on his door.
Football: Stoke star Hendrie kick-starts hopes of Villa return
FORMER Birmingham City striker Dele Adebola has urged Gary McSheffrey to hit the high spots at St Andrew's after his big-money move from Coventry City.
Football: DELE: I'M BACKING ACE MAC
It may be one of the most glamourous cities on earth but going this way you won't have to cough up a fortune to hit the high spots as well as the beach.
Your Life: Travel: Plain sailing; DEREK WATSON FINDS KIDS AND CULTURE MIX WELL IN VENICE