Hit the pavement 👊🛣️

Meaning

To begin walking or running, especially at the start of a journey or race.

Origin

Imagine the scene: the starting gun fires, a roar goes up from the crowd, and dozens of runners surge forward. Their feet pound down, impacting the unforgiving surface of the road, the asphalt, the very pavement itself. This visceral image of a race beginning, of physical exertion commencing upon the hard ground, cemented the phrase in our language. It conjures that immediate, forceful contact between the runner and the earth, signifying the moment the action truly begins. Whether it's athletes or someone just setting out on a brisk walk, the idea is the same: time to get moving and feel the ground beneath your feet.

🏃‍♀️⚕️ body 🏅 sport 💪📈 work ⏳🕰️ time

Hit the pavement represented with emoji👊🛣️

This playful pairing of a fist and a road sign functions as a jubilant invitation to embark on a grand adventure. It underscores the excitement of setting forth, not just the act of moving, but the sheer, unadulterated joy of beginning a journey. Note how the simple symbols evoke a sense of boundless possibility, urging the viewer to hit the pavement and perhaps, discover something wonderful things along the way.

Examples

  • We need to hit the pavement early tomorrow if we want to beat the traffic.
  • The marathon runners were eager to hit the pavement as soon as the starting gun fired.
  • My sneakers are practically begging me to hit the pavement and see where the road takes us.
  • The squirrels decided it was official park opening time and began to hit the pavement with their tiny, determined feet.

Frequently asked questions

Is "hit the pavement" a common idiom in British English?

While "hit the pavement" is understood in British English, it's less commonly used than in American English. British speakers might more frequently say "hit the road" to mean starting a journey.

What's the opposite of the phrase "hit the pavement"?

The closest opposite of "hit the pavement" would be phrases like "put your feet up" or "take a break," implying a cessation of walking or activity rather than the start.

Does "hit the pavement" always refer to running a race?

No, "hit the pavement" can refer to the start of any kind of walking, jogging, or running, not strictly limited to competitive races. It broadly signifies the beginning of a journey on foot.

Similar to "hit the pavement"

Take to the road
Both suggest embarking on a journey, but 'take to the road' feels more like a deliberate departure for travel, while 'hit the pavement' is about the immediate, energetic start of movement
Get cracking
Both phrases signal the beginning of action, but 'get cracking' is a general call to start any task with vigor, whereas 'hit the pavement' specifically refers to the act of moving on foot
Launch forth
Both express a beginning of movement, but 'launch forth' carries a more formal and perhaps adventurous tone, like setting sail or beginning a grand expedition, unlike the more common, everyday feel of 'hit the pavement'

Opposite of "hit the pavement"

Stay put
This argues for stillness and inaction, a direct counterpoint to the active departure implied by 'hit the pavement,' celebrating the virtue of remaining in one place rather than setting off
Rest on your laurels
This suggests contentment with past achievements and a cessation of effort, a stark contrast to the eager commencement of a new journey or task that 'hit the pavement' embodies

Related to "hit the pavement"

Make tracks
This phrase shares the 'leaving' aspect of 'hit the pavement,' evoking the idea of departure and moving away, but focuses more on the act of leaving a place rapidly rather than the specific action of starting to walk or run
On the move
This phrase captures the state of traveling or being in motion, a natural consequence and companion to the action of 'hitting the pavement,' signifying that the journey has begun
Set off
Much like 'hit the pavement,' 'set off' signifies the start of a journey, but it feels more general and less tied to the specific action of walking or running; it's the broader announcement of departure
Pound the beat
This phrase also involves walking, but specifically for a duty like a police officer's patrol, linking 'hitting the pavement' to a more structured, repetitive, and purposeful perambulation