breakout hit
Unexpected chart-topper success
A breakout hit is a sudden, unexpected success that launches someone or something into widespread recognition.
The term comes from breaking out of obscurity or a limited audience: Their third album was the breakout hit that made them superstars.
It applies to songs, films, books, or any creative work that dramatically exceeds expectations and establishes its creator's reputation.
- smashBreak violently apart
- runaway successOverwhelming, unexpected triumph
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
- viralSpreading quickly online
- word of mouthInformation passed through conversation
chart-topper · number one · overnight · out of nowhere · phenomenon · debut · mainstream · explosion · sleeper · cult following · crossover · momentum · buzz · blockbuster · instant classic · skyrocket · catapult · stardom
- hit singleshit single, lead single, number one, smash hit, debut single
- hit songshit song, hit, chart-topper, greatest hit
- firstsfirst, initial, beginning, start, opening
- chartspie chart, line graph, line chart, bar graph, scatter plot
- Pop Chartsnumber one, singles, albums, Billboard, chart-toppers
- crowd pleaserscrowd pleaser, encores, crowd favorite, standing ovations, fan favorite
breakout hitflop
Complete commercial failure
bomb · dud · box office bomb · turkey · bust
breakout hitslow burn
Gradual buildup of rage
sleeper hit · cult classic · late bloomer · slow build · flash in the pan
break, breakout, breaks, broken, breaking, breaker, outbreak, hits, hitting