hit the press

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit the press" is not considered proper written English. You could use it colloquially, but it is not suitable for formal writing. Example: "The news of the scandal hit the press and created a public outcry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I had no knowledge of My Lai" — that is, its full horror — "until it hit the press".

The New Yorker

So the latest non-scandal involving Jeremy Corbyn and the Queen has hit the press – and this time it's serious.

Independent

Allies of both leading candidates have already begun to hit the press and airwaves in support of their candidates.

The Guardian

As a result, we were able to get this state-of-the-art density program into the hands of students shortly after it hit the press.

Cornell University

As of 10 October, eight have hit the press: five in the US, including one on a flight; one in Taiwan; and two in South Korea.

The Guardian - Tech

"They had no recognition there at all, and until Tom started emailing and the story hit the press they had no idea things were different here".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Action potentialThe seminal paper on the matter hit the presses in 1952.

The Economist

Twelve years after he published "On the Origin of Species", which described the idea of natural selection, a second book hit the presses.

The Economist

WHEN Sporting News first hit the presses in 1886, there was no World Series, no National Football League, and no Cracker Jack, much less the Internet, mobile score updates or jeering sports bloggers.

The New York Times

A leaked recording of Toronto mayor Rob Ford drunkenly ranting about "fags" and "dagos" hit the presses two goddamned weeks ago and he's still running for reelection, albeit while taking a much-needed break to dry out.

Vice

A leaked recording of Toronto mayor Rob Ford drunkenly ranting about "fags" and "dagos" hit the presses two goddamn weeks ago, and he's still running for reelection, albeit while taking a much-needed break to dry out.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using phrases such as "be reported in the press" or "become public knowledge" instead of the colloquial phrase "hit the press".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "hit the press" in academic papers or professional reports where a more formal tone is expected. Opt for alternatives like "was published" or "was released" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit the press" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a piece of information or a story has been published and distributed by news media. Ludwig AI suggests that while common, the phrase may not be suitable for formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hit the press" is a common way to describe information that has been reported by news outlets. Although very common, it is considered grammatically incorrect and more appropriate for colloquial use. Ludwig AI's analysis underscores its prevalence in news and media contexts, with less frequent occurrences in academic or scientific settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "become public knowledge" or "be reported in the press" to maintain a more professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become public knowledge

This alternative focuses on the state of information being known by the public.

be reported in the press

This alternative is a more formal way of saying that something is covered in news publications.

be released to the media

This alternative emphasizes the action of providing information to news outlets.

be disclosed to the public

This option focuses on the act of revealing information to a wider audience.

make headlines

This alternative highlights the impact and newsworthiness of the information.

gain media coverage

This alternative centers on the amount of attention a story receives from media outlets.

surface in the news

This alternative suggests the information is emerging within news reports.

be disseminated through media channels

This emphasizes the distribution of information via various forms of media.

reach the newsstands

This alternative phrase is useful when describing periodicals or newsprint.

dominate news cycles

This option focuses on the period of time a story receives focus and attention.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "hits the press"?

It means that information or a story has been reported and made public through news outlets and publications.

Is "hit the press" grammatically correct?

While widely used and understood, "hit the press" is considered colloquial and less formal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives.

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

You can use alternatives like "become public knowledge", "be released to the media", or "be reported in the press" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "hit the press" and "hit the news"?

"Hit the press" specifically refers to publication in printed media. While "hit the news" is a broader term that encompasses all forms of news media, including television, radio, and online sources.