let's hit the drink

[keannu]

Like you say "let's hit the road" or "let's hit the books"
Can you say "let's hit the drink"?

 

[GoesStation]

No.

 

[keannu]

Then, how else can you say?

 

[emsr2d2]

Like [STRIKE]you[/STRIKE] we can say "Let's hit the road" or "Let's hit the books", can [STRIKE]you[/STRIKE] we say "Let's hit the drink"?

Then (no comma required here) how else can [STRIKE]you[/STRIKE] we say it?

Please note my corrections above.

We can say "Let's hit a bar" meaning "Let's go to a bar and drink alcohol". You'll also hear the phrase "hit the bottle" but that is frequently associated with someone who has a problem with alcohol. "My uncle lost his job and his house in the same month. He was so upset, he really hit the bottle". That suggests that his situation caused him to drink too much, at least for a short period of time.

 

[teechar]

"Hit the drink" colloquially describes a person who became alcoholic. "Let's hit the drink" is highly unlikely.

 

[GoesStation]

There are lots of ways to suggest getting an alcoholic drink. Let's grab a drink or, if you have beer in mind, a brew​ is one common one.

 

[Skrej]

Like you say "let's hit the road" or "let's hit the books"
Can you say "let's hit the drink"?

No, but you can say 'hit the bottle', meaning to drink heavily. It carries implications of binge drinking or alcoholism. It's usually used in third person, as in "He's been hitting the bottle again".

I don't know if I've ever heard it used in first or second person, but I suppose it could be. I think you'd be immediately understood.

Note that 'bottle' is a metaphor for any kind of alcoholic drink. It wouldn't necessarily have to literally be a beverage in a bottle.

Edit: Also, in AmE 'the drink' can be slang for a body of water, especially the ocean. So while you'll hear 'in the drink' meaning to be in the water, 'hitting the drink' might be parsed as an unnatural way of saying somebody collided with ocean, or perhaps drove their car into the ocean, or otherwise hit the ocean hard.