strike oil
Hit a gusher
To strike oil is to discover petroleum deposits, typically while drilling.
The phrase has become a common metaphor for any sudden windfall or unexpected success: After years of failed startups, he finally struck oil with his delivery app.
The literal sense evokes the drama of early oil prospectors who would drill speculatively, hoping to hit a gusher that would make their fortune.
Oil well that erupts
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- derrickMovable boom apparatus
- rigEquipment arrangement or vehicle
- wildcatterSpeculative petroleum explorer
oilfield · crude · black gold · Texas tea · pumpjack · offshore · fracking · reservoir
Sudden large windfall
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- jackpotAccumulated gambling prize
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- magnateWealthy business leader
petrodollars · millionaire · billionaire · wealth · riches · affluence · prosperity · boom
Accidental fortunate discovery
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- stroke of luckFortunate unexpected occurrence
- lucky breakUnforeseen favorable occurrence
good fortune · providence · blessing · unexpected · stumble upon · happenstance · fortuitous · destiny
Sudden important advance
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- big breakCareer-making opportunity
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
pivotal moment · opportunity · reward · payoff · make it big · cash in · game changer · golden ticket
gusher
Oil well that erupts
wildcatter · oilfield · crude · black gold · Texas tea · pumpjack · offshore · fracking · reservoir · prospecting
bonanza
Sudden large windfall
magnate · petrodollars · millionaire · billionaire · wealth · riches · affluence · prosperity · boom · payday
serendipity
Accidental fortunate discovery
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- stroke of luckFortunate unexpected occurrence
lucky break · good fortune · providence · blessing · unexpected · stumble upon · happenstance · fortuitous · destiny · kismet
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- big breakCareer-making opportunity
turning point · pivotal moment · opportunity · reward · payoff · make it big · cash in · game changer · golden ticket
strike oilcome up empty
strike out · go bust · draw a blank · hit rock bottom · lose one's shirt
strike oilgo bankrupt
Become legally insolvent
lose one's shirt · hit rock bottom · go under · come to nothing · fall on hard times
strike, oil, strikes, struck, stricken, striking, striker, strikers, oils