# hit the spot

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hit-the-spot
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be particularly pleasing or appropriate; to be just right.

## Examples

- That cold drink really hit the spot.
- A warm bowl of soup hits the spot on a rainy day.
- This new sofa hits the spot in our small living room.
- After walking for hours in the heat, the iced coffee hit the spot perfectly.
- I was feeling very stressed, but a long phone call with my sister really hit the spot and made me feel much better.
- Your honest feedback about my presentation hit the spot because I finally understand what I need to change for next time.
- The quiet jazz bar, with its worn leather seats and soft amber light, hit the spot for a weary traveler seeking refuge from the city's chaos.

## Origin

Attested from the mid-19th century, the idiom likely reflects either a target-shooting metaphor or a variation on the older concept of scratching an itch. While the original imagery of striking a physical mark or relieving a specific irritation has largely faded from the modern speaker's perception, the construction persists as a standard expression of precise satisfaction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.