the pits

the pit

T t

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [stressed th ee pit]
- /stressed ði pɪt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [stressed th ee pit]
- /stressed ði pɪt/

Definitions of the pits words

noun the pits a naturally formed or excavated hole or cavity in the ground: pits caused by erosion; clay pits. 1
noun the pits a covered or concealed excavation in the ground, serving as a trap. 1
noun the pits Mining. an excavation made in exploring for or removing a mineral deposit, as by open-cut methods. the shaft of a coal mine. the mine itself. 1
noun the pits the abode of evil spirits and lost souls; hell: an evil inspiration from the pit. 1
noun the pits the pits, Slang. an extremely unpleasant, boring, or depressing place, condition, person, etc.; the absolute worst: When you're alone, Christmas is the pits. 1
noun the pits a hollow or indentation in a surface: glass flawed by pits. 1

See all 27 definitions of the pits

Information block about the term

Origin of the pits

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English pytt < Latin puteus well, pit, shaft; (v.) derivative of the noun

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for The pits

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of The pits

the pits popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

the pits usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for the pits

adj the pits

bad — If you say that it is bad that something happens, you mean it is unacceptable, unfortunate, or wrong.
bottom out — If a trend such as a fall in prices bottoms out, it stops getting worse or decreasing, and remains at a particular level or amount.
cruddy — dirty or unpleasant
godawful — extremely dreadful or shocking: What a God-awful thing to say!
grody — repulsive; disgusting; nauseating.

adjective the pits

diddly — anything at all or of any consequence
downer — Informal. a depressant or sedative drug, especially a barbiturate. a depressing experience, person, or situation.
garbage — discarded animal and vegetable matter, as from a kitchen; refuse.
junky — of the nature of junk; trashy.

All 10 Synonyms of the pits