🎯 Hit or Miss
hit or miss — Haphazard, at random. This term almost certainly comes from shooting or throwing at some kind of target and was transferred very early to making an attempt of any kind, knowing that one might succeed or fail. It has been so used since the sixteenth century. “But hit or miss, our project’s life this shape of sense assumes,” wrote Shakespeare in Troilus and Cressida. It later appeared in several collections of proverbs and remains as unpredictable as flipping a coin while blindfolded.
Synonyms:
- By chance
- Randomly
- Haphazardly
- At sixes and sevens
Antonyms:
- Methodically
- Systematically
- Deliberately
- Organisedly
Humorous Quotes:
- “Success is like a hair in a soup—it happens by chance, and it tastes much better without it.”
- “The road to success is paved with undirected GPS signals.”
Similar Expressions:
- Throw a dart in the dark 🎯
- Roll the dice 🎲
- Wing it 🦅
Proverbs:
- “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.”
- “Every dog has its day.”
References in Literature, Songs, and Movies:
- “Troilus and Cressida” by William Shakespeare
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Particularly when Harry attempts spells without knowing their full effect.
- Forrest Gump: Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.
📚 Suggested Reading & Viewing:
Books:
- Blink by Malcolm Gladwell - Understanding the powers of the subconscious mind, often making ‘hit or miss’ decisions.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket - Anything but methodical, often relying on quirky ‘hit or miss’ decision-making.
Movies:
- Slumdog Millionaire - The ultimate story of seemingly random events leading to an unimaginable outcome.
- Groundhog Day - Every day is a ‘hit or miss’ opportunity to get it right.
Songs:
- “Let It Be” by The Beatles - A song that’s perfect when you’re in a ‘hit or miss’ situation.
### Which of these terms means 'by chance'?
- [x] Hit or miss
- [ ] Surefire success
- [ ] Structured opportunities
- [ ] Plotted points
> **Explanation:** "Hit or miss" means doing something haphazardly or at random, while the other options suggest surety and organization.
### What ancient literature first used "hit or miss" in print?
- [ ] Macbeth
- [ ] The Odyssey
- [x] Troilus and Cressida
- [ ] Don Quixote
> **Explanation:** "Troilus and Cressida" by William Shakespeare is the earliest known literary work to feature the term "hit or miss."
### True or False: 'Hit or miss' can imply both success and failure
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Hit or miss" encapsulates the essence of attempting something that could result in either triumph (hit) or failure (miss).
### Which of these actions is NOT a 'hit or miss'?
- [ ] Throwing a dart in the dark
- [ ] Rolling dice
- [ ] Predicting next month's weather
- [x] Following a detailed set of instructions to build furniture
> **Explanation:** Following detailed instructions is methodical and structured, unlike the randomness implied by 'hit or miss.'
### What similar phrase suggests taking a wild shot in uncertainty?
- [ ] Dotting the i’s
- [ ] Crossing the t’s
- [ ] Throwing a dart in the dark
- [x] Shooting from the hip
> **Explanation:** Both "throwing a dart in the dark" and "shooting from the hip" imply actions done randomly or without thorough planning.
May random winds lift you to the great heights of joyful serendipity and delightfully unexpected successes. 🌟✨ —Serena Quirk, 2023-11-07
