# hitch

/ˈhɪtʃ/ (US) · /hˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hitch
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a minor problem

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small problem or delay that stops something from happening perfectly.

For teachers: a temporary difficulty or minor obstacle that impedes progress.

- The event went well, though there was a small hitch with the sound system at the start.
- Despite a minor technical hitch during the opening presentation, the rest of the conference proceeded exactly according to the schedule.

### 2. a connection point

noun · CEFR B2

a metal part used to connect a trailer or caravan to a car.

For teachers: a mechanical device or connection point used to attach a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle.

- He checked the trailer hitch one last time before driving onto the motorway.
- The heavy-duty hitch was designed to distribute the weight of the boat trailer evenly across the truck's rear axle.

### 3. military service

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

a period of time spent serving in the military.

For teachers: a term of enlistment or a specific period of military service.

- After his four-year hitch in the Navy, he decided to go back to university.
- He signed up for another hitch, citing the camaraderie and the lack of civilian job prospects as his primary motivations.

### 4. to pull up

verb · CEFR B2

to pull something up with a quick, short movement.

For teachers: to move something into a different position with a jerk or sudden pull.

- He had to hitch up his trousers because they were a bit too loose.
- She paused to hitch her heavy backpack higher onto her shoulders before continuing the steep climb up the ridge.

### 5. to hitchhike

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to travel by asking for free rides from passing cars.

For teachers: to travel by signaling to drivers of passing vehicles and asking for a free ride.

- They managed to hitch a ride to the next town with a friendly farmer.
- Lacking enough money for the bus fare, the students decided to hitch across the border, relying on the generosity of long-distance lorry drivers.

### 6. to get married

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Humorous

to get married to someone.

For teachers: to join in marriage; almost exclusively used in the passive 'get hitched'.

- They finally decided to get hitched after being together for ten years.
- The couple flew to Las Vegas to get hitched in a small chapel, much to the surprise of their extended families.

## Examples

- The party went well despite a small hitch with the music.
- The product launch went smoothly, with the only hitch being a brief delay in the opening presentation.
- While the overall execution of the project was flawless, a minor technical hitch during the final phase required the engineers to work through the night to meet the deadline.

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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.