hit the road

USAGE SUMMARY

"hit the road" is a correct and usable English phrase in both written and spoken English.
This phrase is often used to tell someone to leave or depart, as in the following example sentence: "It's time to go now, so hit the road!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CARMO, HIT THE ROAD Opens on Friday in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Orozco hit the road.

The New Yorker

Better hit the road.

The New Yorker

Hit the road!

University of California, Berkeley

He hit the road.

The New York Times

Let's hit the road.

The New Yorker

We hit the road.

The Guardian - Travel

But to perform they hit the road.

The New Yorker

WHAT inspired him to hit the road?

The New York Times

With that, let's hit the road.

The New York Times - Tech

In other words, hit the road.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit the road" when you want to express a quick and easy way to say that you are starting a journey. It's especially useful in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "hit the road" in extremely formal or somber situations. Its casual tone might be inappropriate in professional reports or during serious discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit the road" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It is used to indicate the commencement of travel or departure from a location, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

22%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hit the road" is a very common and correct English idiom used to express the act of starting a journey or leaving a place. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, as well as academic contexts. Although its register is generally informal, its widespread use makes it a versatile phrase for various situations. When writing, remember that while you can say things like "set off" or "start traveling" instead, the best approach is to avoid using "hit the road" in professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take to the road

This phrase is a more literal and descriptive way of saying "hit the road".

get going

An informal and direct way to say it's time to leave or start moving.

set off

This is a concise and commonly used alternative for beginning a journey.

start out

A simple and direct way to indicate the beginning of a journey.

start traveling

This alternative focuses on the action of beginning a journey.

get underway

This alternative suggests the initiation of a planned activity, like a journey.

begin journeying

This phrase is a more formal way of saying "start traveling".

make a start

Focuses on the act of beginning, applicable to various situations including travel.

embark on a trip

This alternative emphasizes the beginning of a significant or planned trip.

commence the voyage

This option is a very formal and somewhat archaic way to express starting a trip.

FAQs

What does "hit the road" mean?

"Hit the road" means to begin a journey or to leave a place. It's an idiom that suggests starting to travel, often by car.

When is it appropriate to use "hit the road"?

It's appropriate in informal contexts when you want to say you're starting a journey or leaving. It's suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "hit the road"?

You can use alternatives like "start traveling", "set off", or "take to the road" depending on the context.

Is "hit the road" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hit the road" is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression. It follows standard English grammar rules within its idiomatic usage.