English idiom

hit the books

Register · Informal CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

to study hard, especially before an exam

Why this phrase?

Books are pictured as targets to be 'hit', turning concentrated study into a determined strike against them.

Example

“I need to hit the books this weekend for Monday's test.”

Dictionary details

Component words

book

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

by the book

strictly following the rules or official procedures

take a leaf out of someone's book

to follow someone's good example by copying what they do

trial and error

trying different methods until you find one that works

go down that route

to choose a particular method or course of action

go down the road of

to start following a particular course of action

take home message

the main point or lesson you should remember from something

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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