went off without a hitch

USAGE SUMMARY

"went off without a hitch" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to express that something has happened successfully or without any problems. For example: "The party went off without a hitch; everyone had a great time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The test went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

Most fundraisers went off without a hitch.

The Washington Post

Her performance went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

The Montreal meeting went off without a hitch.

Harvard University

The vote count went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

To Mr. Scupham, the event went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

The pre-flight check went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

"The orchestrated delivery went off without a hitch," said Henry.

The Guardian

The warden claimed the vaccination programme went off without a hitch.

Independent

The men agreed, and the endorsement in November went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

"It went off without a hitch, as far as it goes".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went off without a hitch" to emphasize a surprisingly easy or successful outcome, especially when potential problems were anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "went off without a hitch" sarcastically to describe something that clearly failed. The phrase implies genuine success, not ironic failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went off without a hitch" functions as an idiomatic expression that describes the successful completion of an event or task, emphasizing the absence of problems or difficulties. Ludwig examples confirm its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went off without a hitch" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe a successful event or task that proceeded without any problems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is primarily found in news and media contexts, conveying reassurance and satisfaction about a positive outcome. While slightly informal, it is generally acceptable in most professional settings. Consider alternatives like "proceeded smoothly" for more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeded smoothly

Focuses on the smooth progression of an event or activity.

ran like clockwork

Emphasizes the precision and flawless execution of an event.

happened seamlessly

Highlights the lack of interruption or difficulty during an event.

unfolded flawlessly

Similar to seamlessly, but also includes a sense of grace or elegance.

was a complete success

Focuses on the overall positive outcome rather than the process.

encountered no problems

Emphasizes the absence of difficulties or obstacles.

progressed without incident

Highlights the lack of any negative events or disruptions.

succeeded effortlessly

Implies that the event or task was accomplished easily and without strain.

met with no obstacles

Similar to encountering no problems, but slightly more formal.

achieved its goal easily

Directly states that the intended outcome was reached without difficulty.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said to have "gone off without a hitch"?

It means that an event, plan, or activity was completed successfully and without any problems or difficulties.

How can I use "went off without a hitch" in a sentence?

You can say, "The presentation "went off without a hitch", and the client was very impressed" or "Despite the initial concerns, the project "went off without a hitch"."

What are some alternative phrases to "went off without a hitch"?

Some alternatives include "proceeded smoothly", "ran like clockwork", or "happened seamlessly".

Is it appropriate to use "went off without a hitch" in formal writing?

Yes, while "went off without a hitch" is slightly informal, it is acceptable in most professional contexts. For very formal writing, consider alternatives like "progressed without incident".