Idioms

hit the spot

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hit the spot

1. To satisfy something, such as hunger or a craving. That burger really hit the spot—I didn't realize how hungry I was. Thanks for the glass of lemonade—it really hit the spot on a hot day like today. I can't decide between sweet and salty, so chocolate-covered pretzels should hit the spot.
2. To be correct or accurate. You really hit the spot with that answer—good job. Elizabeth hit the spot when she suggested that we try expanding our core demographic. We've been way too narrow in our marketing recently. A: "Whoa, you hit the spot when you predicted that character wasn't really dead." B: "Eh, is anyone ever really dead on a soap opera?"
See also: hit, spot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hit the spot

Inf. to be exactly right; to be refreshing. This cool drink really hits the spot. That was a delicious meal, dear. It hit the spot.
See also: hit, spot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

hit the spot

Give total satisfaction, as in This beer really hits the spot. This expression gained enormous currency with a 1930s advertising jingle, in which a popular soda was said to hit the spot. [Slang; mid-1800s]
See also: hit, spot
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 spot

INFORMAL
If something hits the spot, it is very good and exactly what is needed. Karen Grey's latest drama hits the spot, with its honest portrait of family life. A cup of milky coffee hit the spot.
See also: hit, spot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

hit the spot

be exactly what is required. informal
See also: hit, spot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

hit the ˈspot

(informal) if something hits the spot it does exactly what it should do: I decided I wasn’t really hungry, but the coffee really hit the spot and I drank a whole pot.
See also: hit, spot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

hit the spot

1. and hit the bull’s-eye tv. to be exactly right. (see also ring the bell.) You really hit the spot with that prediction.
2. tv. to be refreshing. I want something hot—some coffee would really hit the bull’s-eye.
See also: hit, spot
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

hit the spot

To give total or desired satisfaction, as food or drink.
See also: hit, spot
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.

hit the spot, to

To please or satisfy extremely well. This slangy Americanism dates from the mid-nineteenth century. It was widely popularized through a commercial jingle heard on the radio through the 1930s and 1940s: “Pepsi-Cola hits the spot, twelve full ounces, that’s a lot.” It remains current.
See also: hit, to
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
BACK Z IN BLACK This flock heart bra costs EUR10 with the matching mini knickers EUR5 BOW PEEP 3This black spot bra costs EUR18 with matching thong at EUR10 WHITE ZA SIGHT The nude Wow bra is eye-popping in every way at EUR20 SPOT CHECK This navy and white number is ship shape SILVER LADY ZMetallic polka dots could well hit the spot FRILLY Z THE PINK This delicate pink bra costs EUR26 for two, with matching pants EUR13 for two
If you like your music loud, proud and shrill, Young Heart Attack's Starlite is sure to hit the spot. The third single to be lifted from their excellent debut album, Mouthful Of Love, Starlite is an exploration into the riff-heavy sounds of rock and the vocals are anything but subtle.
Kluivert was devastated when he missed that penalty - but marriage to blonde Angela has definitely hit the spot.
HANGING nAROUND Rum takes it easy HIT THE SPOT Z Rum and Coke roll over for a tickle PLAYTIME Z Gentle giants having fun PAWS FOR 3THOUGHT Handler has a laugh with Coke FURRY FRIENDS J Ray and handler give Rum and Coke a hug
And it hit the spot. Roll on the next series in November.
DUREX maker SSL's sales hit the spot last year thanks to booming demand for a new women's gel.
But as Homer discovers, tea doesn't hit the spot like his favourite Duff beer.
But there comes a time when only a greasy fry-up will hit the spot, as Naked Chef Jamie Oliver's wife Jules found at the weekend.
She said it hit the spot where her six-year-old girl Melissa usually plays.
Viagra stimulates men by increasing blood flow in the genitals, but this purely physical effect does not hit the spot for women.
Concealers are fine as a temporary cover up, but you need an antibacterial formula to really hit the spot. Do these four feisty zit zappers live up to their claims?
Malty with a dry finish, it oddly fails to really hit the spot. I wanted a sharper edge.
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