ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nervous hit

idiom
Meaning

A production which receives generally favorable notice, but is not assured of success.


Examples
SIMPLE

The play is a nervous hit, but reviews are mixed.

CONTEXTUAL

Critics praised the film, yet ticket sales were slow, making it a nervous hit for the studio.

COMPLEX

The director's experimental debut, though lauded by festival judges, remained a nervous hit, its commercial fate uncertain until the final week of release.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    don't let the door hit you on the way out

    Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved, to see the addressed person leaving.

  2. 02

    fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch

    To become extremely unattractive.

  3. 03

    hit a lick

    To earn a large sum of money in a short amount of time, usually illegally.

  4. 04

    hit a snag

    To encounter an unexpected problem or delay.

  5. 05

    hit a wall

    To come up against an insurmountable problem.

  6. 06

    hit above one's weight

    Alternative form of punch above one's weight.

  7. 07

    hit and run

    Sexual intercourse followed by a prompt departure; a one-night stand.

  8. 08

    hit below one's weight

    Alternative form of punch below one's weight.

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