Help center

Phrasal verbs "hit on" vs "hit upon"

Differences between hit on and hit upon

Hit on usually means to flirt with someone or make unwanted advances, whereas hit upon generally means to discover or come up with something by chance.

Meanings and Definitions: hit on vs hit upon

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hit on

  • 1Have an idea.

    I suddenly HIT ON the solution.

  • 2Talk to someone to try to attract them sexually.

    She HIT ON him at the party and they went back to her house.

  • 3Ask for money.

    A beggar HIT ON me when I left the restaurant.

Hit upon

  • 1Have an idea.

    It took us ages to HIT UPON a solution.

  • 2Try to attract someone sexually.

    He tried to HIT UPON her at the pub.

Usage Examples: hit on, hit upon in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hit on

Example

He hit on her at the party, but she wasn't interested.

Example

She hits on guys at the club every weekend.

hit upon

Example

She hit upon a great idea for her new business.

Example

He hits upon a solution to the problem after hours of brainstorming.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit on

flirt with

To show romantic or sexual interest in someone through playful or suggestive behavior.

Example

He kept flirting with her even though she made it clear she wasn't interested.

make a pass at

To make a sexual advance towards someone.

Example

She was offended when he made a pass at her at the party.

come on to

To make sexual advances towards someone in a persistent or aggressive way.

Example

She felt uncomfortable when he kept coming on to her at work.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit upon

stumble upon

To find or discover something unexpectedly or by chance.

Example

While hiking, they stumbled upon a hidden waterfall in the woods.

chance upon

To come across or find something unexpectedly or by accident.

Example

She chanced upon an old photo album while cleaning out her attic.

discover by accident

To find or learn something unexpectedly or unintentionally.

Example

He discovered by accident that his neighbor was a famous author.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in hit on vs hit upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hit on or hit upon?

In daily conversation, people use hit on more often than hit upon. This is because hit on is used for social interactions and dating, which are common topics in everyday conversations. Hit upon is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about discovering something by chance. So, while both phrases are used, hit on is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hit on and hit upon

Hit on and hit upon are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of hit on and hit upon

The tone of hit on and hit upon can differ based on context. Hit on often carries a negative or uncomfortable tone when related to unwanted advances, while hit upon typically has a positive and curious tone, especially when referring to discovering something unexpectedly.

hit on & hit upon: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hit on

Synonyms

Hit upon

Synonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!