hit on someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit on someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is making an obvious attempt to flirt or start a romantic relationship with another person. Example: She was out at the bar, hitting on guys all night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Informal Conversations

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They recalled one game in which Dempsey, after laying a jarring hit on someone after kicking off, was so disoriented that he ran to the wrong sideline and grabbed a seat on the opposing team's bench.

The New York Times - Sports

I started dressing even sloppier and lying about my age, saying I was younger, thinking they'd be less likely to hit on someone underage.

Vice

As creepy as it is to hit on someone much younger than you, interrupting someone -- of any gender -- while they are out reading is rude, selfish, and abhorrent behavior.

Huffington Post

Have you ever inadvertently hit on someone's wife or girlfriend?

Vice

ANYHOO, I also liked the clue "Film about the sea?" for OIL SLICK, and was impressed by the illicit goings-on in the grid, what with Mr. Donaldson trying to HIT ON someone at a bar, making the relatively juvenile comment "That's what SHE said," building a METH lab in the middle of the puzzle, and ultimately being DETAINED by the police.

The New York Times

Or tell everyone you've signed with the CIA and that, unfortunately, there's a hit on someone in the room but you can't reveal who is the intended target.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I even got hit on by someone.

Vice

You are also likely to get hit on by someone in a position of power at some point and there is very little you can do about it.

Huffington Post

When Fallon mentioned that it would still be cool to be hit on by someone as iconic as Rock, the comedian quipped, "Oh, that did not register at all".

Huffington Post

"But hitting on someone insistently or awkwardly is not an offense, nor is gallantry a chauvinist aggression".

The New Yorker

Mansilla and Zazueta said that they were interested in building other verticals for Hot Mess, like sending a message to someone in a bar when they're hitting on someone too hard or need to talk less.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of tone. In modern journalism, the phrase is frequently used to describe unwanted advances or harassment, so ensure the context clarifies the nature of the interaction.

Common error

Do not use "hit on someone" when you mean to describe a physical assault or a punch. Use "hit someone" instead. Including the preposition 'on' usually changes the meaning to a romantic advance or, in rare crime contexts, an assassination order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit on someone" functions primarily as an intransitive phrasal verb followed by a direct object (the person). In the examples provided by Ludwig, it demonstrates significant semantic range, moving from social flirting to physical collision in sports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI and real-world data, "hit on someone" is a correct and widely used phrase. While most commonly associated with flirting or making romantic advances, it maintains a literal usage in sports (like football) to describe physical impact. In very specific contexts, it can also refer to a criminal hit (contract killing). Because of this range, writers should provide enough surrounding context to ensure the reader understands whether the interaction is social, athletic or criminal. Ludwig shows that while it is a common expression in modern media, it remains largely absent from formal academic or scientific discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a move on someone

Implies taking a more active or decisive step in flirting

come on to someone

Suggests a more direct or aggressive sexual advance

flirt with someone

Focuses on the playful or lighthearted nature of the interaction

chat someone up

Common British English idiom for starting a conversation with romantic intent

proposition someone

Much more formal and often implies a transactional or very direct offer

hit upon someone

Slightly more formal or archaic variation of the same phrase

approach someone

A neutral alternative describing the act of going up to a person

strike someone

Used when referring to the literal physical impact context

target someone

Refers to the context of a contract hit or strategic selection

hit someone

Removes the preposition, shifting meaning entirely to physical violence

FAQs

How do you use "hit on someone" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a romantic advance, such as: "He tried to <a href="/s/make+a+move+on+someone" target="_blank" rel="alternative">make a move on someone at the party by trying to hit on someone he just met."

What is the difference between "hit on someone" and "hit someone"?

While "hit someone" implies physical violence, "hit on someone" usually means to <a href="/s/flirt+with+someone" target="_blank" rel="alternative">flirt with someone or show romantic interest.

Can "hit on someone" be used in a professional context?

In a professional setting, it is better to use more formal terms like "<a href="/s/approach+someone" target="_blank" rel="alternative">approach someone" or, if describing misconduct, "sexual harassment" or "unprofessional conduct."

What can I say instead of "hit on someone"?

Depending on the intensity, you could use "<a href="/s/come+on+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">come on to", "<a href="/s/chat+someone+up" target="_blank" rel="alternative">chat someone up" or "<a href="/s/make+a+play+for+someone" target="_blank" rel="alternative">make a play for someone".