hit the ground

1. To fall and strike the ground, floor, etc. Please be careful with that vase—it will shatter if it hits the ground. The glass bottle hit the ground and broke into about a million pieces. Thank goodness you caught that picture frame—it would have broken had it hit the ground.

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