Differences between hit upon and thrust upon
Hit upon means to discover or come up with something by chance or accident, while thrust upon means to force someone to accept or deal with something they don't want.
Meanings and Definitions: hit upon vs thrust upon
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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.
Thrust upon
- 1To force someone to accept or deal with a responsibility or task, often unexpectedly.
But some have greatness thrust upon them and Gove is looking increasingly as if the crown would fit.
Usage Examples: hit upon, thrust upon in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
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.
thrust upon
Example
The responsibility was thrust upon her when her boss suddenly quit.
Example
He thrusts upon her the task of organizing the event.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit upon
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Thrust upon
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “hit”
Phrasal Verbs with “upon”
Differences in hit upon vs thrust upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: hit upon or thrust upon?
In daily conversation, people use hit upon more often than thrust upon. This is because hit upon is used for more positive situations such as discovering a great idea or solution. Thrust upon is not used as much and has a negative connotation. It's mainly used when we're talking about forcing someone to do something they don't want to do. So, while both phrases are used, hit upon is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hit upon and thrust upon
Hit upon and thrust 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 upon and thrust upon
The tone of hit upon and thrust upon can differ based on context. Hit upon often carries a surprised or excited tone when related to discovering something new or unexpected, while thrust upon typically has a negative and forceful tone, especially when referring to imposing something on someone else.