pay dirt, hit

Idioms  

1. Also, strike pay dirt. Make a valuable discovery or large profit, as in We've been researching the source of that quotation for a month and we finally hit pay dirt in the Library of Congress. This idiom, from the mid-1800s, refers to a miner's finding gold or other precious metals while sifting soil. By the late 1800s it had been transferred to other lucrative discoveries.

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Example Sentences

Last year, it attained a valuation of $2.96 billion and recently finished two years of digitizing maps and other documents from the state archives in neighboring Zambia, where it hit pay dirt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The touchdown pass came via a spectacular haul from receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who reached over cornerback Jeremy Earby’s head to hit pay dirt.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2023

Before its pioneering messenger RNA technology hit pay dirt, Moderna rewarded its executives and co-founders with generous helpings of stock.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2023

Finally, in November of last year, I hit pay dirt.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2021

“The medical students will hit pay dirt with Old Man Lichtenberger,” I said, summing up.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• accomplish
• connect
• gain
• get
• notch
• pull off
• rack up
• reach
• win