What does the verb phrase hit the books mean?

• A. To relax
• B. To study or prepare for class
• C. To read novels
• D. To write essays

Answer: (B)

Hit the books is an idiom that means to study or prepare for class. Here, "hit" suggests putting in effort and focus, while "the books" refers to textbooks and course materials. It’s something you’d say when you’re getting serious about studying, especially before exams or major assignments. For example, you might say, “I’m going to hit the books this weekend.” It’s informal and common in everyday speech.

So this isn’t about relaxing, reading just for fun, or writing essays; it’s specifically about dedicating time to studying and reviewing material for class. If you want a more formal way to say it, you could simply use “study” or “prepare for class.”