hitting a deadline

USAGE SUMMARY

"hitting a deadline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to a particular date or time that has been set for completing a task or project. For example: "Our team is struggling to hit the upcoming deadline for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The new owner of SeeSaw has run into difficulty hitting a deadline to secure multimillion-pound funding and has lost a key content deal with Channel 4, meaning shows such as The Inbetweeners and Skins are no longer available on the online TV service.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The comments were another sign that the two sides might struggle to hit a deadline of the end of 2014 for a deal that politicians on both sides had previously described.

The New York Times

Prisoner's Dilemma is a fictitious scenario but when pressed to hit a deadline, to cut costs, to increase production or to mitigate a negative business result, do you as a leader demonstrate a cooperating attitude with the team or, conversely, do you compete, throw team members under the proverbial bus, and take the plea bargain?

Forbes

The city's decision comes just days before it hit a deadline activating the lawsuit.

Huffington Post

Remembering my own university years, I ask Smits about skipping out on sleep altogether in favour of energy drinks, just to hit a deadline.

Vice

So what should young artists under a brutal deadline do when time's running out? "Basically one of the best shortcuts when you're trying to hit a deadline is to not do full-figure shots.

Vice

The one bit I would fast forward to, however, is the story about a man using Adderall at his finance job to stay awake several days straight to hit a deadline.

Vice

A team of us worked like dogs to hit a deadline they'd set for a report on the possible contributions of the naturopathic profession to health care reform.

HuffPost

Although most are independently wealthy, all continue to work often as hard as they did within standard entrepreneurial roles, even after achieving success (although the agenda is now driven by personal commitment and by choice as opposed to hitting a project deadline, achieving investment, or meeting payroll next week).

Forbes

If that's the case, make sure you don't leave before hitting an eligibility deadline, if it's close.

BBC

This is due to not hitting a 1 March 2012 deadline for submission of the company's June 2011 financial statements to the League.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hitting a deadline", ensure the context clearly defines what the deadline is for. Be specific about the task or project associated with it.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "hitting a deadline" solely refers to completing a task. It also encompasses meeting milestones, submitting required documentation, or securing funding by the specified date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitting a deadline" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of successfully meeting a predetermined target date. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hitting a deadline" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the successful completion of a task or project within the allotted timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile, fitting well in news, business, and even informal conversations. While alternatives like "meeting the deadline" or "completing on schedule" exist, "hitting a deadline" remains a widely understood and applicable choice. Remember to provide a clear scope of the task associated with the deadline to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meeting the deadline

Focuses on the act of fulfilling the deadline.

achieving the deadline

Emphasizes successful completion within the given timeframe.

reaching the target date

Uses "target date" as a synonym for deadline.

completing on schedule

Highlights finishing the task according to the planned timeline.

delivering on time

Focuses on the timely delivery of a product or service.

making the cutoff

Uses "cutoff" as a synonym for deadline.

adhering to the timeframe

Stresses sticking to the established timeline.

fulfilling the requirements by the due date

Expands on the elements needed to be completed before the deadline.

finalizing before the due date

Emphasizes the finishing process within the due date.

getting it done in time

A more casual alternative focusing on timely completion.

FAQs

What does "hitting a deadline" mean?

The phrase "hitting a deadline" means successfully completing a task, project, or obligation by the date or time that was previously set.

How can I use "hitting a deadline" in a sentence?

You can use it to express success in meeting a goal, for example: "The team celebrated after "meeting the deadline"".

What can I say instead of "hitting a deadline"?

You can use alternatives like "meeting the deadline", "achieving the deadline", or "completing on schedule" depending on the context.

Is "hitting a deadline" formal or informal?

"Hitting a deadline" is generally considered suitable for both professional and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, you might prefer a more precise phrase such as "meeting the required completion date".