# hit for

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hit-for
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- He hit me for twenty dollars to buy lunch.
- After the car broke down, the mechanic hit them for five hundred dollars in repairs.
- The local charity hit the wealthy donor for a substantial contribution to the new wing, knowing his penchant for public philanthropy.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He hit for me ten pounds." but "He hit me for ten pounds." — The person being asked must come immediately after the verb 'hit'.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.