hɪt ðə ˈbɒtl
General
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To strike a bottle
What does "hit the bottle" mean?
- To drink alcohol heavily or excessively
- To turn to alcohol, especially as a way of coping
Examples
- After losing his job, he started hitting the bottle.
- She hit the bottle to cope with her stress.
- He hit the bottle hard after the divorce.
Origin
The 'bottle' represents alcoholic beverages. 'Hitting' it suggests turning to it forcefully or repeatedly. Used since the early 20th century.
How to use it
Usually implies problematic drinking, often as a coping mechanism. Generally negative connotation.
Similar expressions
drink heavily
turn to alcohol
drink to excess
Opposites
stay sober
abstain
be teetotal
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "hit the bottle" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.