Idiom
Without a hitch
If something goes without a hitch, it happens smoothly, with no problems or delays.
How people use it
The most common pattern is go off without a hitch: The wedding went off without a hitch. You can also say something went without a hitch or came off without a hitch. People use it for events, trips, launches, moves and performances. It is neutral and slightly informal. Do not confuse it with get hitched, which is informal for getting married; people often joke about the two together at weddings. A hitch here means a small problem or snag.
Also said: go off without a hitch.
Examples
- Our flight, the train transfer and the hotel check-in all went without a hitch.
- The school play went off without a hitch, even with a puppy on stage.
- Thanks to Leo's checklist, the office move came off without a hitch.
Where it comes from
Hitch has long meant a sudden catch, jerk or stop, like a rope that snags or a step that falters. From there it came to mean a small obstacle or problem, a sense in use by the 1700s. Without a hitch, meaning with no snags at all, was in use by the 1800s.
Check yourself
1. If a party went off without a hitch, what happened?
Answer: Everything went smoothly. Without a hitch means with no problems.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: The software update installed without a hitch.. Without a hitch means smoothly, so it fits an update that worked.
Similar idioms
Word game fan? See every word hiding in HITCH.