Phrasal verbs "hit on" vs "hit with"

Differences between hit on and hit with

Hit on means to flirt with someone or try to initiate a romantic or sexual relationship, while hit with means to be affected by something negative or unexpected.

Meanings and Definitions: hit on vs hit with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hit on

• 1. Have an idea.

  I suddenly HIT ON the solution.

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

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

• 3. Ask for money.

  A beggar HIT ON me when I left the restaurant.

Hit with

• 1. Surprise someone with some information or news.

  He HIT me WITH the details of their demands.

Usage Examples: hit on, hit with 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 with

Example

She hit him with the news that she was pregnant.

Example

He hits her with the news of his promotion.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit on

flirt with

To behave playfully or romantically towards someone with the intention of initiating a romantic or sexual relationship.

Example

He was flirting with her all night, but she didn't seem interested.

make a pass at

To make a direct or indirect sexual advance towards someone.

Example

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

come on to

To show interest in someone romantically or sexually.

Example

He was coming on to her, but she wasn't sure if she was interested.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit with

be struck by

To be affected by something sudden or unexpected.

Example

She was struck by a sudden feeling of sadness when she heard the news.

be hit by

To be affected by something negative or unexpected.

Example

The company was hit by a financial crisis and had to lay off many employees.

be dealt a blow

To experience a setback or disappointment.

Example

He was dealt a blow when he didn't get the job he applied for.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “hit”

• hit upon
• hit for
• hit up
• hit with
• hit up on

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

• prey on
• let on
• grow on
• tell on
• sign on

Phrasal Verbs with “with”

• finish with
• tag with
• reckon with
• quarrel with
• could do with

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

Frequency in Daily Use: hit on or hit with?

In everyday conversation, people use hit with more often than hit on. This is because hit with is used for more common situations such as being hit with a problem or bad news. Hit on is not used as much and is mainly used in social situations. So, while both phrases are used, hit with is more common in everyday conversation.

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

Hit on and hit with 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 with

The tone of hit on and hit with can differ based on context. Hit on often carries a playful or flirtatious tone when related to initiating a romantic or sexual relationship, while hit with typically has a serious or negative tone, especially when referring to being affected by something unexpected or unpleasant.

hit on & hit with: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hit on

Synonyms

• flirt
• approach
• chat up
• make a pass at
• come on to
• woo
• court
• solicit

Antonyms

• ignore
• avoid
• neglect
• shun
• snub
• rebuff
• dismiss
• reject

Hit with

Synonyms

• surprise
• inform
• present
• reveal
• disclose
• unveil
• expose

Antonyms

• conceal
• hide
• withhold
• disguise
• keep secret
• cover up
• suppress