hit the jackpot

Idioms  

1. Be highly successful, especially unexpectedly; win, especially a lot of money. For example, She hit the jackpot at the auction; that platter turned out to be genuine Meissen. This term comes from a form of poker in which a hand can be opened only if one holds at least a pair of jacks (or higher). Often a number of hands must be dealt before anyone can open, and since players must put in money for each round, the jackpot, or total amount held, is apt to be quite large. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Looking back, Ann Sheppard, 73, from Reading, thinks she must have hit the jackpot.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

But they felt as if they had hit the jackpot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2025

The Hawks hit the jackpot despite just 3% odds after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference at 36-46.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2024

But by the time Justin Bieber waved the checkered flag on Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas, the $500 million Sin City gamble had hit the jackpot.

From Washington Times • Nov. 19, 2023

Nesting usually occurred between February and July, but fledglings had been observed in dens as late as October Systematically, Roy scrolled down the search items one by one until he finally hit the jackpot.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen