be a substantial hit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a substantial hit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the success or popularity of something, such as a product, event, or performance. Example: "The new movie is expected to be a substantial hit at the box office, given the star-studded cast and positive reviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, if all that $1.4 billion ended up as a loss, it would be a substantial hit for the bank.

The New York Times

Raising this tax rate by 10 percentage points would be a substantial hit to tens of millions of families who are certainly middle class by anyone's definition.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the US, however, it was a substantial hit, the first of many from 1981's multi-platinum Escape album.

The Guardian - Music

But what do you expect of a land where a recent Wilfried best-of album - titled Papa Was a Yodelling Stone - was a substantial hit?

The Guardian - Music

It may have been a substantial hit at the box office but Mamma Mia didn't wow critics, and Seyfried is yet to find a vehicle that has allowed her to do both.

The Guardian - Film

"Fuel is a substantial hit, and we do need to cover the cost of fuel in our ticket prices in the long run," said Edward Bastian, Delta's president and chief financial officer.

The New York Times

Reinvented as "The Matchmaker," a vehicle for Ruth Gordon, it was a substantial hit, first at the Edinburgh Festival, then in London, and, finally, in New York, where it ran for more than a year, though that was nothing compared to the overwhelming success of the musical based on it — "Hello, Dolly!" There were no more financial pressures after that.

The New Yorker

But again be a substantial additional cost.

Huffington Post

Arizona expects a $1 billion budget shortfall next year, and schools are bracing for a substantial hit to their budgets, although no one knows for sure yet how much assistance they will lose.

The New York Times

The Irish Repertory Theatre recently triumphed with a pitch perfect revival of Conor McPherson's The Weir that deserved to transfer to Broadway and become a substantial hit; it was that good.

Huffington Post

One such rare lady is Flora Robson, now starring in London as Tina in Sir Michael Redgrave's recent dramatization of "The Aspern Papers," a substantial hit and, I am told by a man who has seen them all, the finest presentation of a James work ever brought to the stage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be a substantial hit" when you want to convey that something is not just successful, but significantly so. This phrase is stronger than simply saying something is "a hit".

Common error

Avoid using "be a substantial hit" when referring to minor or moderate successes. Reserve it for situations where the impact or success is truly significant. Otherwise, consider phrases like "be a modest success" or "be a minor hit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a substantial hit" functions as a predicate describing the anticipated or achieved success of something, such as a product, performance, or initiative. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes the financial performance of a bank and also the success of songs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a substantial hit" is a grammatically correct and readily understandable expression used to describe something achieving considerable success or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and business contexts. While not overly formal, it avoids being too casual, making it suitable for professional communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of success you're describing truly warrants the term "substantial", reserving it for situations with significant impact and avoid overstating minor achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become a major success

Emphasizes the magnitude of the success, using "major" instead of "substantial".

achieve considerable success

Focuses on the achievement aspect, replacing "hit" with a more general term for success.

prove highly successful

Highlights the proven nature of the success, shifting the focus from potential to realized outcome.

make a significant impact

Shifts the focus from success to the effect or influence created.

enjoy great popularity

Highlights the widespread appreciation or favor received.

gain widespread recognition

Emphasizes the acknowledgment and awareness achieved by the subject.

have a large effect

Focuses on the extent of influence or consequence produced.

resonate strongly with

Indicates a powerful connection or emotional response from an audience.

garner considerable attention

Highlights the amount of notice or interest attracted.

flourish remarkably

Implies a thriving or prospering state to a notable degree.

FAQs

How can I use "be a substantial hit" in a sentence?

You can use "be a substantial hit" to describe something that achieves a significant level of success or popularity. For example, "The new product is expected to "be a substantial hit" with consumers".

What's a more formal way to say "be a substantial hit"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "achieve considerable success" or "become a major success", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated register.

Is it correct to say something "will be a substantial hit" before it's released?

Yes, you can use "will be a substantial hit" to express an expectation or prediction of significant success. For instance, "The movie is projected to "be a substantial hit" based on early reviews".

What are some situations where it wouldn't be appropriate to use "be a substantial hit"?

Avoid using "be a substantial hit" for minor successes or efforts that have minimal impact. It's best suited for describing outcomes that are significantly successful or popular. Using it in inappropriate situations can result in overstatement.