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to not know what hit somebody
01
to become extremely shocked or confused as a result of something undesirable that suddenly happens
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "not know what hit someone" and when to use it?
The expression "not know what hit someone" is an idiom that means to be completely surprised, shocked, or overwhelmed by an unexpected event or situation. This phrase is often used to describe situations where something unexpected happens suddenly and leaves an individual disoriented or bewildered.
Example
When the alarm went off in the middle of the night, I didn't know what hit me until I realized there was a fire in the building.
When the company announced layoffs, some employees didn't know what hit them.
The sudden hailstorm was so intense that the picnic-goers didn't know what hit them.
The unexpected news of the winning lottery ticket left the winner saying, 'I don't know what hit me.
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