- Meaning
- This idiom describes achieving a major success or windfall, often unexpectedly, as if winning a slot machine’s top prize. It conveys luck or triumph, typically used in personal, professional, or financial contexts to celebrate big wins. The phrase carries a tone of excitement, fortune, or envy, reflecting cultural values of opportunity and the human tendency to dream of big gains. Its gambling imagery evokes a thrilling payout, resonating in scenarios like promotions or lotteries. The idiom celebrates fortune, making it a vibrant metaphor for striking it rich.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in late 19th-century America, tied to early slot machines where ‘jackpot’ meant a top prize, as noted in gambling records. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The San Francisco Chronicle* (1880s), for poker wins. The idiom gained traction in the 1920s, amplified by casino culture and media, notably in *The New York Times* for financial gains. Its spread was boosted by Las Vegas and pop culture, enduring for its vivid imagery and applicability to success, primarily in the U.S., with use in the U.K. and Australia.
- Variants
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- Hit the jackpot
- Hitting the jackpot
- Strike the jackpot
- Examples
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- She hit the jackpot with a huge lottery win.
- Hitting the jackpot, he landed a dream job offer.
- Strike the jackpot, they did, with a viral product.
- Hit the jackpot, she thought, finding a rare antique.
- They hit the jackpot, securing a massive investment.
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