Common English Idioms: "Hit the books" Meaning: To study. This phrase suggests that studying involves hitting or opening books. Example: "After a long day at work, hitting the books for her upcoming certification exam was the last thing she wanted to do." Origin: The origin of the idiom "hit the books" is rooted in the idea of studying or focusing on one's academic work. The phrase likely emerged in the 19th century, when books were the primary source of information. The verb "hit" in this context is a colloquialism that means to engage in or begin an activity. When someone says they are going to "hit the books," they are indicating that they plan to start studying or focusing on their academic work. The phrase is still commonly used today, even though books are no longer the only source of information available.