hit paydirt
Found the treasure
To hit paydirt is to find something valuable or achieve success after effort—originally the dirt or gravel containing gold or other precious minerals that miners sought.
The phrase usually describes a breakthrough moment: After months of research, the detective finally hit paydirt.
Sometimes spelled as two words: pay dirt.
- findLocate through effort
- strike goldAchieve sudden success
- strike oilFind petroleum deposit
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- fortuneWealth or destiny
bonanza · goldmine · dig · jackpot · treasure trove · breakthrough · rush · payoff · mother lode · triumph · accomplishment · attainment · milestone · strike it rich · pan · gold rush · prosper · hard work
- striking goldjackpot, eureka, bonanza, windfall, paydirt
- windfallsjackpot, windfall, grand prize, found money, big win
success in searching or endeavor
hit paydirtcome up empty
strike out · come up short · draw a blank · fail · bust
hit, hits, hitting, hitter, hitters, pay, pays, paid, paying