Hit the road Meaning in English
expression
ˈhɪt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɹoʊd
HIT-thuh-ROHD
hˈɪt/ /ðə, ði/ /ɹˈəʊd
HIT-thuh-ROHD
Definition
An informal expression meaning to start a journey, usually by car or another vehicle. It often means to leave a place and begin traveling.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and idiomatic; often used when leaving for a trip or saying goodbye. Not used for short local trips—usually for longer journeys. Common in American English.
Spanish: empezar el viaje - salir (a la carretera)Portuguese (BR): pegar a estrada - sair (para viajar)Portuguese (PT): pôr-se a caminho - partir (para viajar)Chinese (Simplified): 出发 - 上路Chinese (Traditional): 出發 - 上路Hindi: रास्ते पर निकलना - यात्रा शुरू करनाArabic: الانطلاق في الطريق - البدء في السفرBengali: রওনা হওয়া - যাত্রা শুরু করাRussian: в путь отправиться - поехатьJapanese: 出発する - 旅に出るVietnamese: lên đường - bắt đầu chuyến điKorean: 길을 나서다 - 출발하다Turkish: yola çıkmak - seyahate başlamakUrdu: روانہ ہونا - سفر پر نکلناIndonesian: berangkat - mulai perjalanan
Example Sentences
It's time to hit the road and start our vacation.
basic
Let's hit the road before it gets dark.
basic
We woke up early to hit the road at sunrise.
basic
Alright, it's getting late—let's hit the road.
natural
They decided to hit the road after lunch to avoid traffic.
natural
I’d better hit the road if I want to get home before midnight.
natural