hit the deck

Idioms  

1. Also, hit the dirt. Fall to the ground, usually for protection. For example, As the planes approached, we hit the deck, or We heard shooting and hit the dirt. In the early 1900s the first expression was nautical slang for “jump out of bed,” or “wake up,” and somewhat later, “get going.” The current meaning dates from the 1920s.

---

Example Sentences

Pages held on as Hernández hit the deck.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2025

"The shot came straight at him," he said, adding that "everyone hit the deck" and "scattered".

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2025

Aberdeen once more believed they had a shot at restoring parity when Hoilett hit the deck in the box and referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2024

There was a tense moment in the fifth when Tatis hit the deck on a high-and-tight pitch from Joe Kelly that hit the knob of the bat and sent it flying.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

The black gun hit the deck, its grip fracturing on impact.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee