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.

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Example Sentences

Pages held on as Hernández hit the deck.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2025

Italians Simone Consonni and Elia Viviani looked set to take the win, but after Consonni hit the deck, they could not respond to Portugal's late surge.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2024

His audacious overhead kick called Joe Hart into a punch before Martin Boyle hit the deck in search of his own penalty, while Lewis Miller's later effort skimmed inches wide.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2024

Taylor couldn't afford a knockdown and almost hit the deck in the final moments after some big shots from Cameron.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2023

He stumbled as his feet hit the deck and fell on his face.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt