hit/strike pay dirt
idiom
chiefly US, informal
: to do, find, or get something that results in money or success
The band hit pay dirt with their first single.
The police struck pay dirt when a witness came forward with new information.
Examples of hit/strike pay dirt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In late September, trees don their rich autumn jewel tones, and visitors rush to Dahlonega in the North Georgia Mountains with the enthusiasm of the gold miners who hit pay dirt here in 1828.
—
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2024
The plan seems to be: sell the pricey R1T pickup and R1S SUV (think: Model S price) for five years then hit pay dirt with a future high-volume, lower-cost vehicle, namely the future R2 (think: Model 3).
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Already, Russ and Michelle had hit pay dirt, encountering a Riversider named Beth Cawiezell doing yard work.
—Rick Montgomery, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
But the 49ers asked the DMV for an extension and now have until May 31 to hit pay dirt or fumble the opportunity.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
The conservative campaign to dismantle corporate diversity initiatives has hit pay dirt by focusing on a surprising target: Law firms.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2023
Other Global Crossing executives hit pay dirt from stock sales as well.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
First, the Hugh Jackman miracle (which opened with $8.8 million over Fri-Sun and $13.5 million over Wed-Sun) bled right into Christmas and hit pay dirt when kids were out of school and adults were mostly off work during the holidays.
—Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2021
The Huskers hit pay dirt in the second quarter on a Markese Stepp 2-yard touchdown run.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2021
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Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2024
The plan seems to be: sell the pricey R1T pickup and R1S SUV (think: Model S price) for five years then hit pay dirt with a future high-volume, lower-cost vehicle, namely the future R2 (think: Model 3).
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Already, Russ and Michelle had hit pay dirt, encountering a Riversider named Beth Cawiezell doing yard work.
—Rick Montgomery, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
But the 49ers asked the DMV for an extension and now have until May 31 to hit pay dirt or fumble the opportunity.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
The conservative campaign to dismantle corporate diversity initiatives has hit pay dirt by focusing on a surprising target: Law firms.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2023
Other Global Crossing executives hit pay dirt from stock sales as well.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
First, the Hugh Jackman miracle (which opened with $8.8 million over Fri-Sun and $13.5 million over Wed-Sun) bled right into Christmas and hit pay dirt when kids were out of school and adults were mostly off work during the holidays.
—Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2021
The Huskers hit pay dirt in the second quarter on a Markese Stepp 2-yard touchdown run.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Hit/strike pay dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit%2Fstrike%20pay%20dirt. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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