critical hit

[krit-i-kuhl hit]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical hit¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Read more on 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.

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Co-written by Lynch, the film's cast of eventual screen icons, including John Hurt as Merrick and Anthony Hopkins, transformed the story of stigma into an emotional, critical hit, outpacing the original stage play.

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Charli XCX's sixth album, Brat, was released in June, becoming a critical hit worldwide, while a recent remix album topped the UK charts in October.

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She’s also the director of critical hit “Bring Down the House,” a two-part adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry VI” trilogy that premiered in Seattle and made its way to OSF.

Read more on Seattle Times