Phrase guide

hit the books

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To study, especially with particular intensity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, US, figuratively, informal

Examples

  • They go to the beach when they should be hitting the books and then they wonder why they get bad grades.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

learn by reading books

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He is studying geology in his room
  • I have an exam next week; I must hit the books now

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: study

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: learn, larn, acquire

Narrower terms: memorize, memorise, con, learn, cram, grind away, drum, bone up, swot, get up, mug up, swot up, bone

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: šrotit — study
  • Czech: šprtat — study
  • Romanian: pune pe învățat — study
  • Russian: зубри́ть (zubrítʹ) — study
  • Spanish: hincar los codos — study