critical hit

[ krit-i-kuhl hit ]

noun

1. a movie, song, or the like that is highly favored by professional critics:

   The two movies they made together were both blockbusters as well as critical hits.

   The song was a critical hit, garnering several nominations and two awards in its category.

2. Informal, . (in role-playing games) a particularly successful, damaging blow or move against one’s opponent, usually due to an advantageous roll of the die or dice:

   I had a hard time on the first few levels, with low health from a steady stream of critical hits against me.

   In this game any roll that adds up to 12 is a critical hit and inflicts major damage, regardless of defenses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical hit¹

First recorded in 1955–60 critical hit fordef 1; 2000–05 critical hit fordef 2

Example Sentences

She’s also the director of critical hit “Bring Down the House,” a two-part adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry VI” trilogy that premiered in Seattle and made its way to OSF.

From Seattle Times

Before Saturday’s ceremony, which was streamed online, Moore’s pavilion had already been a critical hit.

From New York Times

A critical hit, it became the streaming service's most-watched series ever.

From BBC

The book was a critical hit and New York Times bestseller, catapulting Land from low-income housing to a new career as a writer and public speaker.

From Seattle Times

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” was a commercial and critical hit when it was published in July.

From Washington Post