hit someone for six
To affect in a devastating way by some unexpected news.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The sudden news hit him for six.”
“The high cost of the car repairs hits you for six.”
“When she heard the company was closing, the news hit her for six.”
“Finding out that my best friend was moving to another country really hit me for six because we had plans to start a business together.”
“Even though he practiced hard, failing the final exam hit him for six and made him question his choice of career.”
“The unexpected announcement of his resignation hit the entire department for six, leaving everyone stunned and uncertain about the future.”
The phrase originates in the sport of cricket, where it describes the act of striking the ball cleanly over the boundary without it first touching the ground. Such a stroke results in the award of six runs, the highest score achievable from a single delivery. The idiom has since transitioned from the pitch to general usage, retaining the sense of a sudden and decisive impact that leaves the recipient entirely unable to offer a response.
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 06
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
- 08
cry someone a river
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
Last updated August 10, 2026