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• hit-or-miss
  hit-or-miss

  adjective

  careless; inattentive; haphazard.
• hit or miss
  hit or miss

  Haphazardly, at random. For example, She took dozens of photos, hit or miss, hoping that some would be good. [c. 1600]

hit-or-miss

American  

[hit-er-mis] / ˈhɪt ərˈmɪs /

adjective

1. careless; inattentive; haphazard.

   The professor criticized the hit-or-miss quality of our research.

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hit or miss Idioms  

1. Haphazardly, at random. For example, She took dozens of photos, hit or miss, hoping that some would be good. [c. 1600]

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Etymology

Origin of hit-or-miss

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Startup cultures and learning opportunities are hit-or-miss, just like those equity stakes that may or may not produce windfalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Cal agrees, saying the sketches have been in "hit-or-miss territory" - but "we're in year 51 of the US version and it's still like that".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Teachers were supposed to have special training, as any special-ed teacher would, but it seemed hit-or-miss.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2024

The plot's busy, the visual effects hit-or-miss and its villains are neither potent nor memorable.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

Anyway, just like any potential new friendship, the relationships born from the Last Friend app can be pretty hit-or-miss.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera