hit the deck

hit the deck

1. To drop to the ground, usually in an attempt to avoid danger. All the soldiers hit the deck when the enemy plane flew overhead. Are we supposed to hit the deck when there's an earthquake? I just froze in place! Hit the deck, someone's firing on us!

2. To get out of bed. It's already one in the afternoon—hit the deck! Kids, hit the deck! We have to leave for school in 20 minutes! Just because I've hit the deck doesn't mean I'm actually awake. I need coffee!

See also: deck, hit

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hit the deck

 

1. Fig. to fall down; to drop down to the floor or ground. Hit the deck. Don't let them see you. I hit the deck the minute I heard the shots.

2. Fig. to get out of bed. Come on, hit the deck! It's morning. Hit the deck! Time to rise and shine!

See also: deck, hit

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

hit the deck

Also, hit the dirt. Fall to the ground, usually for protection. For example, As the planes approached, we hit the deck, or We heard shooting and hit the dirt. In the early 1900s the first expression was nautical slang for "jump out of bed," or "wake up," and somewhat later, "get going." The current meaning dates from the 1920s.

See also: deck, hit

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

hit the deck

If someone or something hits the deck, they suddenly fall to the ground. `We'll have to get a doctor!' I hit the deck yowling. My hands were wrapped round my knees. Instead of pulling up, the plane seemed to go faster and faster before it hit the deck. Note: `Deck' normally means the floor of a ship or, in American English, a raised platform outside a house. Here it means the floor or ground.

See also: deck, hit

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

hit the deck

fall to or throw yourself on the ground. informal

See also: deck, hit

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

hit the ˈdeck

(informal)
1 fall to the ground suddenly: When we heard the shooting we hit the deck. ♢ The champion landed another heavy punch and the challenger hit the deck for the third time.
2 (American English) get out of bed: Come on! It’s time to hit the deck.

See also: deck, hit

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

hit the deck

1. tv. to get out of bed. Come on, hit the deck! It’s morning.

2. tv. to fall down; to drop down. I hit the deck the minute I heard the shots.

See also: deck, hit

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

hit the deck

Slang

1. To get out of bed.

2. To fall or drop to a prone position.

3. To prepare for action.

See also: deck, hit

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.