critical hit

American  

[krit-i-kuhl hit] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈhɪt /

noun

1. a movie, song, or the like that is highly favored by professional critics.

   The two movies they made together were both blockbusters as well as critical hits.

   The song was a critical hit, garnering several nominations and two awards in its category.

2. null (in role-playing games) a particularly successful, damaging blow or move against one’s opponent, usually due to an advantageous roll of the die or dice.

   I had a hard time on the first few levels, with low health from a steady stream of critical hits against me.

   In this game any roll that adds up to 12 is a critical hit and inflicts major damage, regardless of defenses.

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Etymology

Origin of critical hit

First recorded in 1955–60 critical hit for def. 1; 2000–05 critical hit for def. 2

Example Sentences

Cosby’s southern crime novel “King of Ashes” was a critical hit and a New York Times bestseller earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth has been ravaged by nuclear war, the first series was a commercial and critical hit, impressing long-time fans and viewers who'd never played before.

From BBC

The memoir was a critical hit before winning the prize, but a year later it was caught up in an online storm.

From BBC

Their 1998 musical was a critical hit but a difficult sell.

From Los Angeles Times

The compilation was a critical hit - earning a place on Rolling Stone's 2012 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and winning best historical album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

From BBC