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hit up

B1 slang separable transitive
In simple words

To message or call someone (usually to ask for something), or to go somewhere.

Literal meaning: To strike something upward — the idiomatic leap to 'contact' or 'visit' is not transparent.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic slang

To contact someone, especially by phone or message, often to ask for something or arrange to meet.

"Hit me up when you're in town and we'll grab dinner."

"Hit me up on Instagram."

— Common social media phrase, widely attributed to various celebrities including Justin Bieber in interviews (c. 2010s)
Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic slang

To ask someone for money or a favor, often repeatedly or boldly.

"My cousin always hits me up for cash whenever he's broke."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic slang

To visit a place, especially a bar, club, or attraction.

"Let's hit up that new rooftop bar on Friday night."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily American English slang. Common among younger speakers. 'Hit me up' is a very frequent phrase meaning 'contact me.' Can also mean to inject drugs intravenously (avoid in ESL contexts unless advanced).

Commonly used with

phone text message bar club venue money favor

Forms

Base
hit up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hits up
he/she/it
Past simple
hit up
yesterday
Past participle
hit up
have + pp
-ing form
hitting up
continuous

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