ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hit for

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford American English Informal

phr. v.. to ask someone for a specific amount of money, usually as a loan or a favor.

phr. v.. to solicit a specific sum of money from someone; typically used in informal contexts regarding loans, requests for financial assistance, or unexpected charges.


SIMPLE

He hit me for twenty dollars to buy lunch.

CONTEXTUAL

After the car broke down, the mechanic hit them for five hundred dollars in repairs.

COMPLEX

The local charity hit the wealthy donor for a substantial contribution to the new wing, knowing his penchant for public philanthropy.

Particles
for
Separability
separable
Pattern
hit + object + for + amount
Usage

The person being asked is the direct object, followed by 'for' and the amount.

Teaching tip

This is a highly idiomatic phrasal verb; contrast it with 'ask for' to show how 'hit for' implies a more sudden or targeted request.

Pitfall

He hit for me ten pounds.He hit me for ten pounds.The person being asked must come immediately after the verb 'hit'.

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