gone without a hitch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone without a hitch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or event that has proceeded smoothly without any problems or difficulties. Example: "The wedding went off without a hitch, and everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the couple."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Our protests have always gone without a hitch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since the launch last November, the Mars Orbiter Mission, or MOM, appears to have gone without a hitch.

The Economist

An arrest raid against the camp a month before had gone without a hitch so they assumedJenin would be relatively easy.

The Guardian

Sebastian Coe, the head of Locog, said 98% of athletes' trips from the airport to the Olympic Park had gone without a hitch.

The Guardian - Sport

If Brown's premiership had gone without a hitch, each new decision an easy one, each new crisis patently manageable, then no one would ever have had a ­reason to encounter Brown's "dark side".

The Guardian - Opinion

But then trying to find an example of a national broadband strategy that hasn't gone without a hitch either in terms of delays or excessive cost is near impossible.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It went without a hitch until about a year ago, when two women of about 30 turned up.

Vice

Everything went without a hitch.

The New Yorker

"It went without a hitch".

The New York Times

Not that it went without a hitch.

Independent

The operation went without a hitch".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gone without a hitch" to emphasize a surprisingly smooth process or event, especially when anticipating potential problems. For example, "Despite the complex logistics, the entire operation went without a hitch."

Common error

Avoid using "gone without a hitch" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by employing synonyms like "ran smoothly" or "proceeded flawlessly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone without a hitch" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically serving as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, describing how an event or process was completed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science & Research

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gone without a hitch" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe an event or process that has been completed successfully and without any problems. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and conveying a sense of satisfaction or relief. While versatile, it's best used in neutral contexts, avoiding excessive repetition by opting for synonyms such as "ran smoothly" or "proceeded flawlessly". Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeded flawlessly

Emphasizes the absence of any flaws or imperfections.

ran smoothly

Focuses on the smooth and uninterrupted progression of an event or process.

occurred without incident

Highlights the lack of any negative or disruptive events.

transpired seamlessly

Stresses the effortless and fluid nature of the occurrence.

was accomplished successfully

Focuses on the achievement of a positive outcome.

unfolded without difficulty

Emphasizes the absence of challenges or obstacles.

went according to plan

Highlights adherence to a predetermined course of action.

materialized without a snag

Emphasizes the lack of any hitches or unexpected problems.

was executed perfectly

Highlights the faultless manner in which something was carried out.

happened without a problem

Simple and direct way of saying that no issues arose.

FAQs

How can I use "gone without a hitch" in a sentence?

The phrase "gone without a hitch" is used to describe an event or process that happened without any problems. For example: "The presentation "went off without a hitch", and the clients were impressed."

What does "gone without a hitch" mean?

It means that something happened exactly as planned, with no unexpected issues or difficulties. Essentially, it means something "went smoothly".

Are there alternative phrases to "gone without a hitch"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "proceeded flawlessly", "ran smoothly", or "occurred without incident" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "gone without a hitch" and "went off without a hitch"?

"Gone without a hitch" and ""went off without a hitch"" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. The difference is that "went off without a hitch" is often used to describe events that have a defined start and finish, while "gone without a hitch" can apply to more ongoing processes.