# hit with

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to surprise someone with something difficult or unexpected, like a bill, a question, or bad news.

For teachers: to present or confront someone with something unexpected or burdensome, often requiring an immediate response or payment.

## Examples

- The waiter hit us with a huge bill.
- Just as I was leaving the office, my boss hit me with three new projects to finish by morning.
- The prosecution hit the witness with a series of incriminating documents that completely undermined his previous testimony.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He hit with me the news." but "He hit me with the news." — the person being surprised must come between the verb and the preposition 'with'.

## Usage notes

- usually takes a person as the direct object and the news or burden as the prepositional object.
- Teaching tip: focus on the element of surprise or impact; it implies the recipient was unprepared for the information or cost.

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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.