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hit the jackpot

hɪt ðə ˈdʒækpɒt

Money & Finance
informal
beginner
Literally:
To win the accumulated prize in a game

What does "hit the jackpot" mean?

  1. To achieve great success or win something valuable
  2. To find exactly what you were looking for

Examples

  • They hit the jackpot with their tech startup.
  • You hit the jackpot with that job offer!
  • She hit the jackpot when she found that vintage dress.

Origin

From gambling—the 'jackpot' is the accumulated prize in poker or slot machines. Extended to mean any great success or lucky find.

How to use it

Implies exceptional luck or success. Used for both literal gambling wins and figurative successes.

Similar expressions

strike it rich
get lucky
win big
score

Opposites

strike out
lose big
come up empty

Related idioms

  • pay an arm and a leg

    To pay an extremely high price

  • make ends meet

    To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses

  • cost an arm and a leg

    To be very expensive

  • money doesn't grow on trees

    Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned

  • break the bank

    To cost too much money

  • go through the roof

    To increase dramatically or to very high levels

Use it in a practice answer

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