hit the jackpot
To have great success or good luck
Littéralement: To physically strike the pot containing the accumulated prize money.
Use it to celebrate a surprisingly great outcome or a perfect find in daily life.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe achieving massive success or finding something perfect.
- Originated from poker and gambling but now used for everyday luck.
- Best for casual conversations, storytelling, and expressing excitement.
Signification
It means you have found something perfect or achieved a massive success, often by luck or a great coincidence.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Finding a great partner
I really hit the jackpot when I met Sarah; she is amazing.
I was very lucky to meet Sarah.
Finding a bargain while shopping
I hit the jackpot at the thrift store and found a designer coat for ten dollars!
I found something incredibly valuable for a low price.
A successful business hire
We hit the jackpot with our new developer; she's incredibly fast.
We were very lucky to hire this talented person.
Contexte culturel
The term originated in poker during the 1870s and later became synonymous with slot machines and the lottery. In American culture, it reflects a fascination with sudden, life-changing success and the idea that anyone can 'win big' with a little bit of luck.
Don't just use it for money
While it sounds like gambling, native speakers use it most often for non-financial luck, like finding a great restaurant or a helpful mentor.
Avoid overusing it
If you say you 'hit the jackpot' every time you find a clean fork, it loses its power. Save it for things that are actually impressive.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe achieving massive success or finding something perfect.
- Originated from poker and gambling but now used for everyday luck.
- Best for casual conversations, storytelling, and expressing excitement.
What It Means
Imagine you are playing a game and suddenly win the biggest prize possible. That is the feeling of hit the jackpot. It describes a moment of extreme good luck or finding exactly what you needed. It is not just for money. You can use it for finding a great partner, a perfect job, or even a parking spot right in front of the store.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. Use it when the result is much better than you expected. You can say, "I really hit the jackpot with this new apartment." It sounds natural and enthusiastic. It shows you are very happy with your luck.
When To Use It
Use it when celebrating a win with friends. It is perfect for telling a story about a great find. Use it at work when a project goes better than planned. It works well in texts like, "You hit the jackpot with those concert tickets!" It adds a sense of excitement to your conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for small, expected things. If you find a penny on the ground, it is too dramatic. Avoid using it in very sad situations. If someone wins money after a tragedy, it might feel insensitive. Also, keep it out of super-formal legal documents. It is too colorful for a contract.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a 19th-century poker game called "Jackpots." Players couldn't start the game unless someone had a pair of Jacks. The money would grow and grow until someone finally had the right cards. Now, it is the standard term for the top prize in a lottery or a slot machine. It represents the "American Dream" of getting rich or successful quickly.
Common Variations
Sometimes people just say, "That's the jackpot!" to describe a great situation. You might also hear strike it rich, which is similar but specifically about money. Another variation is hit the mother lode, which comes from gold mining. All of them mean you found the very best thing possible.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very versatile but leans toward informal. It is perfect for building rapport or showing enthusiasm. Avoid it in formal academic essays or somber news reporting.
Don't just use it for money
While it sounds like gambling, native speakers use it most often for non-financial luck, like finding a great restaurant or a helpful mentor.
Avoid overusing it
If you say you 'hit the jackpot' every time you find a clean fork, it loses its power. Save it for things that are actually impressive.
The 'Jack' in Jackpot
The 'Jack' refers to the Jack card in a deck of cards. In the original game, you couldn't win the 'pot' (the money) without a pair of Jacks!
Exemples
6I really hit the jackpot when I met Sarah; she is amazing.
I was very lucky to meet Sarah.
Describes personal luck in relationships.
I hit the jackpot at the thrift store and found a designer coat for ten dollars!
I found something incredibly valuable for a low price.
Used for unexpected consumer success.
We hit the jackpot with our new developer; she's incredibly fast.
We were very lucky to hire this talented person.
Positive feedback in a professional but relaxed setting.
The weather is perfect and the hotel is empty. Hit the jackpot! 🏖️
Everything about this trip is perfect.
Short, punchy use for digital communication.
I hit the jackpot! They gave me an extra slice of pizza for free.
I got a lucky bonus I didn't expect.
Slightly hyperbolic and humorous for a small win.
I hit the jackpot and found a spot right by the entrance in the rain.
I was very lucky with my parking today.
Common everyday usage for small victories.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the phrase.
You really ___ the jackpot with that new job offer!
The standard idiom is always 'hit the jackpot,' even though it means you 'won' something.
Identify the context where this phrase fits best.
Which situation is a 'jackpot' moment?
A 'jackpot' implies a significant or surprising stroke of luck.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Hit the Jackpot'
Slang with close friends.
Dude, you hit the jackpot!
Standard conversation or storytelling.
I feel like I hit the jackpot with this car.
Professional emails or speeches.
The company hit the jackpot with this merger.
Legal or academic writing.
Not recommended.
When to say 'Hit the Jackpot'
Romance
Finding the perfect spouse.
Career
Getting a dream job unexpectedly.
Shopping
Finding a rare item on sale.
Travel
Getting a free flight upgrade.
Questions fréquentes
11 questionsNo, it is used for any kind of great luck. For example, I hit the jackpot with these neighbors means your neighbors are wonderful.
Yes, in a positive way. You might say, We hit the jackpot with this new client to express excitement to your team.
You can, but hit the jackpot is the specific idiomatic expression. 'Won' sounds more literal, like you actually played the lottery.
Usually, we use the because it refers to the specific 'ultimate prize' of that situation.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the English-speaking world, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
It is more of an informal idiom than slang. It is safe to use in most social and semi-professional settings.
Only if you are being very sarcastic. For example, if it starts raining on your wedding day, you might say, Well, we really hit the jackpot, didn't we?
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you might say you struck out or had rotten luck.
Yes, hit is the same in the past tense. So you say, Yesterday, I hit the jackpot.
Not at all! It is a timeless expression that people of all ages use daily.
In gambling, the 'pot' is the pile of money in the center of the table that everyone is trying to win.
Expressions liées
Strike it rich
To suddenly make a lot of money.
Luck out
To be very lucky in a specific situation.
Strike gold
To find something very valuable or successful.
Win big
To have a major success.
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