Hit every branch coming down vs Struggle

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Hit every branch coming down

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Struggle

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Struggle
 Hit every branch coming downStruggle
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //hɪt ˈɛvəri bræntʃ ˈkʌmɪŋ daʊn//🇺🇸 //hɪt ˈɛvəri bræntʃ ˈkʌmɪŋ daʊn//🇬🇧 /["/ˈstrʌɡl/","/ˈstrʌɡlz/","/ˈstrʌɡld/","/ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstrʌɡl/","/ˈstrʌɡlz/","/ˈstrʌɡld/","/ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/"]/
MeaningTo experience everything difficult while trying to succeed.To try hard to do something difficult.
ExampleShe tried to organize the event, but she hit every branch coming down with all the last-minute changes.She had to struggle through the difficult exam to pass her class.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechverb
Collocationshit obstacles, face challenges, encounter difficulties, experience setbacks, overcome barriersdesperately, hard, manfully, have to, against, along, down, struggle to your feet, badly, really, clearly, through, with, struggle to make ends meet, fiercely, furiously, violently, against, with, struggle free
Antonyms-succeed, flourish, thrive
Common mistakesUsed too literally instead of as an idiom., Confused with 'hit the ground running'., Misunderstood the context as only physical falling.'Struggled' vs 'struggles' confusion - using the wrong tense., Omitting 'to' when saying what one struggles to do., 'Struggles with' is sometimes mistakenly used with objects instead of actions.
Usage notesThis idiom is often used in informal contexts to describe a frustrating experience. It's appropriate in conversations but less so in formal writing.Use 'struggle' when discussing challenges or difficulties, both physically and mentally. It's appropriate in most contexts, from casual conversations to more serious discussions about issues.

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Hit every branch coming down
Struggle

Frequently asked questions: Hit every branch coming down vs Struggle

What's the difference between Hit every branch coming down and Struggle?

Hit every branch coming down: To experience everything difficult while trying to succeed. Struggle: To try hard to do something difficult.

Which is more common: Hit every branch coming down and Struggle?

Struggle is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Hit every branch coming down: She tried to organize the event, but she hit every branch coming down with all the last-minute changes. Struggle: She had to struggle through the difficult exam to pass her class.

Can I use Hit every branch coming down and Struggle interchangeably?

Not always. Hit every branch coming down and Struggle are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.