hitting its stride

USAGE SUMMARY

"hitting its stride" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is performing well or reaching an optimal level of effectiveness. Example: "After a slow start, the team is finally hitting its stride in the tournament." Alternative expressions include "finding its rhythm" and "hitting full speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The iPad just now is hitting its stride, but it's hard to build a media business on a limited audience," he said.

TechCrunch

You know a talk radio show is hitting its stride when it starts breaking news bits.

Huffington Post

It's really hitting its stride because the Victory Fund and Emily's List worked together and got Tammy Baldwin elected to the Senate.

The New York Times

With the triple of threat – walker, disease, Governor – now established, the series feels as if it is truly hitting its stride.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Nightcore feels like it's finally hitting its stride.

Vice

It helps that Salon is just hitting its stride, in its second year under this name, its third altogether.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

A second series was proposed—Harries said it would "hit its stride" then but ITV did not recommission it.

Wikipedia

Today, however, it has hit its stride.

The New York Times - Travel

AS a general rule, the better the restaurant, the longer it takes to hit its stride.

The New York Times - Food

The orchestra under George Manahan had some rocky moments last week, but it will probably hit its stride.

The New York Times

The orchestra under George Manahan had some rocky moments on Tuesday night, but it will probably hit its stride.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the possessive pronoun 'its' matches a singular, non-human subject; if the subject is a person, use 'his' or 'her' instead.

Common error

Do not use "hitting its stride" to describe the moment something starts. It requires a prior period of effort or trial to imply that a steady, effective 'stride' has finally been achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitting its stride" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase usually appearing in the present participle or past tense. According to Ludwig AI, it typically follows a linking verb or acts as the main predicate to denote a transition into a state of optimal performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hitting its stride" is a powerful tool for writers looking to describe progress and peak performance. Based on the data from Ludwig, this idiom is exceptionally common in high-tier journalism to describe everything from economic recoveries to the evolution of technology platforms. It implies a sense of maturity and confidence that literal descriptions often miss. When using it, ensure you are describing an entity that has moved beyond its introductory phase. Whether you are writing a business report or a feature article, using "hitting its stride" correctly will help you convey a sense of momentum and stabilized success that resonates with a professional audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding its rhythm

Emphasizes the attainment of a natural, sustainable pace rather than just speed.

gaining momentum

Focuses on the increasing speed or power of a process already in motion.

coming into its own

Suggests a broader sense of reaching maturity or fulfilling potential.

gathering steam

An industrial metaphor for increasing energy or progress.

firing on all cylinders

A mechanical metaphor suggesting every part of a system is working perfectly.

hitting top gear

An automotive metaphor for reaching maximum speed or capacity.

finding its feet

Refers to the earlier stage of becoming confident or stable in a new situation.

hitting full speed

A literal alternative focusing on the velocity of the activity.

reaching its peak

Suggests the absolute highest point of performance or success.

getting into the swing of things

More informal, focusing on the comfort and routine of an activity.

FAQs

What does "hitting its stride" mean in a sentence?

It means that someone or something is beginning to do something with confidence and at a good, steady pace. For example, in Ludwig, you can see how The New York Times uses it to describe a business finally becoming successful after several years.

What can I say instead of "hitting its stride"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "finding its rhythm", "gaining momentum", or "coming into its own".

Is "hitting its stride" a formal expression?

It is a neutral to professional idiom. While it is figurative, it is frequently used in high-quality journalism like The Economist and Forbes, making it appropriate for business and editorial writing.

Is it "hitting its stride" or "hitting his stride"?

Both are correct depending on the subject. Use "hitting its stride" for companies, seasons, or objects, and "hitting his stride" or "hitting her stride" when referring to a specific person.