Hit the books

Meaning

Start studying with focus and dedication.

Usage

Used by students or anyone returning to study after a break.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Possibly from the physical act of opening textbooks and paging through them quickly.

Appears in mid-20th-century American college slang and keeps appearing in campus advice columns.