
IdiomDaily Life
English
hit pay dirt
Meaning: To find something of great value.
Example: “The researchers hit pay dirt in an old box of letters.”
Origin: From American gold mining in the 19th century: "pay dirt" was soil containing enough gold to make mining it worthwhile. The figurative sense of finding something valuable dates from the late 19th century.
More English idioms
- hold one's own To be able to withstand opposition or attack; to do just as well as other people.
- hold someone or something at bay To prevent someone or something that is threatening or attacking from being able to advan…
- hold the fort To take care of a place or to keep an activity going while someone is away.
- fall for something hook, line, and sinker To believe something completely, usually in the sense of being fooled.
- hopping mad Very angry.
- hot under the collar Very angry.
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