Meaning & Origin
The idiom hit the road appeared in American English in the early 1900s, coinciding with the rise of automobile travel. It evokes the image of literally striking the pavement to begin moving. Today it simply means leaving—whether by car, plane, or on foot.
Pronunciation Guide
Say it crisply as HIT the ROAD: /hɪt ðə roʊd/. Stress HIT and ROAD, keep the “t” sharp and the long “o” in road.
Usage & Sentence Examples
- It's getting late—let's hit the road.
- After the meeting, she hit the road for a weekend getaway.
- The band will hit the road again on tour next month.
Synonyms
- head out
- set off
- leave
- get going
- depart
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