become a hit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become a hit" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to something that has experienced great success and popularity, and can be used to talk about movies, songs, books, video games, etc. For example, "The new Marvel movie quickly became a hit among fans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he flirted with transgender themes long before anyone imagined that Bruce becoming Caitlyn would become a hit TV series.

Los Angeles Times

Donated to the care home, they instantly become a hit.

The Guardian

Mr. Brichter hopes the game will become a hit.

The New York Times

In its very first vintage, Merus has become a hit.

The New York Times - Magazine

We want to make it fun, have it become a hit, and the rest will flow".

The New York Times - Arts

"Gossip Girl" has indeed become a hit, though not a megahit.

The New Yorker

was featured in an iPod commercial and went on to become a hit.

The New Yorker

He predicts that "Same Love" will become a hit on urban radio, too.

The New York Times - Arts

So how does a disco song become a hit with the millennial generation?

The New York Times - Arts

What makes an idea go viral, a song become a hit, or a startup turn into a stock-listed powerhouse?

Columbia University

The street has also become a hit on Instagram and social media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become a hit" when you want to emphasize the attainment of popularity or success within a specific timeframe or context. For instance, "The song became a hit after being featured in a popular movie."

Common error

Avoid using "become a hit" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "achieve success" or "gain popularity" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a hit" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action or state of something transitioning to a state of popularity or success. As Ludwig AI shows, it often follows a noun or noun phrase to indicate what is achieving this status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become a hit" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something achieving popularity or success. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicate, primarily serving to inform about the success of various subjects, from movies and songs to products and trends. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts such as news, business, and academic writing. It's mostly present in "News & Media". Related phrases include "achieve success" and "gain popularity", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts while avoiding overuse of the original phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become successful

Directly states the achievement of success, similar to the original phrase.

find success

Highlights the process of discovering or attaining success.

gain popularity

Emphasizes the increase in public favor or acceptance.

take off

Implies a sudden and rapid increase in popularity or success.

gain traction

Focuses on gaining momentum and establishing a solid base of support.

achieve success

Focuses on the attainment of success, broadening the scope beyond just popularity.

enjoy widespread acclaim

Highlights the positive reception and praise received from a large audience.

make a splash

Suggests a noticeable and impactful debut or entrance into the public eye.

rise to prominence

Suggests a gradual ascent to a position of importance or fame.

enter the mainstream

Implies crossing over from a niche audience to a wider, more general audience.

FAQs

How can I use "become a hit" in a sentence?

You can use "become a hit" to describe something that achieves popularity or success. For example, "The new restaurant quickly "became a hit" among locals".

What are some alternatives to "become a hit"?

Alternatives include "achieve success", "gain popularity", or "rise to prominence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "became a hit" or "become a hit"?

"Became a hit" is the past tense, used to describe something that has already achieved success. "Become a hit" is the infinitive form, used when discussing the potential for future success or habitual occurrences.

What's the difference between "become a hit" and "being a hit"?

"Become a hit" implies a transition or change into a state of popularity, while "being a hit" describes the current state of popularity. For example, "The movie is "being a hit" at the box office" indicates its current success.