hit it

quickly become friendly with someone you have just met

B2

What does "hit it off" mean?

To hit it off with someone means to like each other immediately the first time you meet — there's an instant, mutual connection that feels natural and effortless. The key idea is that the good feeling goes both ways: one person alone can't hit it off with someone who doesn't feel the same way. It's almost always tied to a first encounter, such as meeting someone at a party, on a date, or at work for the first time. This expression captures that spark of instant chemistry rather than a friendship that gradually develops. Because of its informal tone, you'll mostly hear it in conversation and casual writing rather than in formal or professional contexts.

Examples

How to use it

hit it off (with + person)

The most common structure — use 'with' to introduce the person you connected with.

She hit it off with her new colleague straight away and they went for coffee after the meeting.

hit it off (with each other / with one another)

Use 'with each other' or 'with one another' to emphasise that the feeling was mutual between two people.

The two candidates were introduced before the panel interview and hit it off with each other immediately.

hit it off (no 'with' phrase)

The 'with' phrase can be dropped when it's already clear from context who the people are.

We were both a bit nervous at first, but we just hit it off from the start.

really / immediately / straight away + hit it off

Adverbs of immediacy or degree are very commonly placed before or after the verb to reinforce the instant nature of the connection.

They really hit it off at the conference — by lunchtime they were already planning a joint project.

Common Collocations

straight awayimmediatelyright awaywith each otherfrom the startreally well

Common Mistakes

Missing 'with' before the person

When you mention who you connected with, you must use the preposition 'with'. Learners sometimes leave it out or use a different preposition.

✗ We hit it off each other straight away.
✓ We hit it off with each other straight away.
Replacing or moving 'it'

'It' in 'hit it off' is a fixed, frozen part of the expression and cannot be replaced, removed, or moved. The phrase only works as a whole unit.

✗ They hit them off with each other at the party.
✓ They hit it off with each other at the party.
Using it for an ongoing relationship, not a first meeting

'Hit it off' specifically describes that initial moment of connection when two people first meet — it isn't used for a friendship or relationship that has developed over time. For longer-term compatibility, use 'get on with' or 'get along with' instead.

✗ After three years working together, they still hit it off really well.
✓ After three years working together, they still get on really well.

Usage

This is an informal expression used mostly in spoken English and casual writing. It is reciprocal, meaning both people must like each other — you cannot use it to describe liking someone who didn't feel the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'hit it off' describe liking someone who didn't feel the same way about me?

No — 'hit it off' is always reciprocal, meaning both people have to feel the connection. If only you liked the other person, you'd need a different expression, such as 'I really took to her' or 'I liked him straight away'.

Does 'hit it off' have to be about people, or can I use it for other things?

It's almost always used to describe two people connecting with each other, not things or ideas. You might occasionally hear it used metaphorically — for example, two co-authors hitting it off at a workshop — but the first-meeting, person-to-person context is essential.

Is 'hit it off' okay to use in formal writing, like a cover letter or report?

It's best avoided in formal or professional writing. 'Hit it off' is an informal, conversational expression that fits naturally in spoken English, texts, or casual emails. In a formal context, you could say something like 'established an immediate rapport with' instead.

Can I use 'hit it off' to talk about something that happened a long time ago?

Yes, the simple past is the most common tense for this phrasal verb, since you're often telling a story about when two people first met. You can also use the present perfect to connect that past moment to the present, as in 'They've always got on well since they hit it off at university'.

What's the difference between 'hit it off' and 'click'?

'Click' is a very close synonym and is used in almost exactly the same way — both describe an instant, mutual connection at a first meeting. 'Click' can sound slightly more casual or slangy in some contexts, but in everyday spoken English the two are largely interchangeable.

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