{not} [know] what [hit] {sb}
1
to become extremely shocked or confused as a result of something undesirable that suddenly happens
The expression "not know what hit someone" is an idiom that means to be completely surprised, shocked, or overwhelmed by an unexpected event or situation. This phrase is often used to describe situations where something unexpected happens suddenly and leaves an individual disoriented or bewildered.
- A sinfully attractive man who knows what he wants, Rafael seduces Cherri before she knows what hits her.
- When the company announced layoffs, some employees didn't know what hit them.
- The sudden hailstorm was so intense that the picnic-goers didn't know what hit them.
- When the alarm went off in the middle of the night, I didn't know what hit me until I realized there was a fire in the building.
- The unexpected news of the winning lottery ticket left the winner saying, 'I don't know what hit me.