hit the desk

USAGE SUMMARY

"hit the desk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an act of hitting something with force, usually as a response to frustration or anger. For example, "He was so frustrated by the challenge that he hit the desk in aggravation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A head did hit the desk.

The New York Times - Books

His hand hit the desk again, hard.

The New Yorker

What if somebody hit the desk with a bowling ball?

The New York Times - Books

It's even hit the desk of the ultimate power girl herself, Arianna Huffington.

Huffington Post

Later that year, Roberts had a small role and understudied star Shirley Booth in the comedy hit "The Desk Set".

Los Angeles Times

The legislation will now hit the desk of Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), who called a special session to get the vote done.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Talk story about the entries in the tenth edition of "The Yearbook of Experts, Authorites & Spokespersons," which hit the desks of seven thousand executives in recent months.

The New Yorker

By Alison Rose The New Yorker, February 15 , 1993P. 33 Talk story about the entries in the tenth edition of "The Yearbook of Experts, Authorites & Spokespersons," which hit the desks of seven thousand executives in recent months.

The New Yorker

The issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry that hit the desks of its 37,000 readers this month reported test results for the antidepressant drug Celexa, indicating it could help children and teenagers.

The New York Times

BGR managed to nab a product sheet that hit the desks just yesterday, listing the tentative dates for AT&T launches and discontinuations until the end of October.

TechCrunch

That thunking noise you hear is my head hitting the desk in despair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit the desk" to vividly portray a sudden outburst of frustration or a decisive action. For example: "Faced with the insurmountable data, she hit the desk in exasperation."

Common error

Avoid using "hit the desk" when a more subtle or constructive response is needed. Overt displays of anger may be perceived as unprofessional or immature. Instead, consider expressing disappointment calmly or seeking alternative solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit the desk" functions primarily as a verb phrase describing an action. It vividly conveys a physical response to an emotional trigger or a decisive action. Ludwig's examples illustrate this action in various contexts, such as frustration or assertion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hit the desk" is a phrase used to describe a physical action often driven by strong emotion or to describe the arrival of something at a desk for attention. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral, physically striking a desk might be viewed as unprofessional depending on the setting. Related phrases include "slam the desk" and "pound the table". The phrase can effectively add vividness to writing but should be used judiciously to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slam the desk

Focuses on the forceful impact of the hand on the desk.

pound the table

Similar to hitting a desk, but implies greater emphasis and theatricality.

slap the desk

Emphasizes a quick, open-handed strike on the desk's surface.

bang on the desk

Implies a repetitive, noisy action on the desk.

come across the desk

Describes documents or issues arriving for consideration.

land on the desk

Similar to come across, but describes the physical arrival of something.

arrive on the desk

Describes when something, often paperwork, reaches someone's workspace.

make it to the desk

Emphasizes that something has managed to reach the desk, often after overcoming obstacles.

reach the desk

Focuses on the destination of something arriving at a workspace.

end up on the desk

Highlights that something was not originally intended for the desk but arrived there eventually.

FAQs

How can I use "hit the desk" in a sentence?

You can use "hit the desk" to describe someone expressing frustration or anger, like, "He was so angry he "hit the desk" in fury".

What does "hit the desk" mean?

"Hit the desk" means to strike a desk forcefully, typically as an expression of strong emotion, such as anger or frustration. It can also refer to something arriving for attention.

What can I say instead of "hit the desk"?

Alternatives to "hit the desk" include "slam the desk", "pound the table", or "bang on the desk" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to literally "hit the desk" in a professional setting?

While the phrase is acceptable to use, physically hitting a desk in a professional setting is generally discouraged as it can be perceived as unprofessional or aggressive. It's better to express frustration verbally or find a more constructive outlet.