hit someone for six

• knock someone for six

From cricket, where hitting the ball over the boundary without it bouncing scores six runs, the maximum for one shot.

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hit someone for six (third-person singular simple present hits someone for six, present participle hitting someone for six, simple past and past participle hit someone for six)

1. (cricket) To score six points against (a bowler) by hitting the ball over the boundary.
2. (idiomatic) To affect in a devastating way by some unexpected news.

   When I heard about the accident, it hit me for six.

3. To hit another person very hard.

   When he swore at me again, I couldn't hold back. So, I hit him for six.