hit upon

Often it means only that a lucky formula was hit upon early in a career that was thereafter sustained by a ready audience.

In a recent speech, Rubio hit upon the right combination of anxiety and hope.

The military has, on occasion, hit upon winning—if brutal—tactics.

Instead of laying down concrete and asphalt on the ground, the Brusaws hit upon the idea of using pavers.

Bdour, for one, is convinced the camp has hit upon a winning formula.

He could hit upon no plan, and he couldn't muster confidence to turn in.

If Alfaretta had tried she couldn't have hit upon a more terrifying word to her hearer.

About fifteen years ago, a donkey driver accidentally hit upon a productive silver mine.

Rabelais was not more cunning when he hit upon his stratagem for getting carried to Paris.

It is perhaps less difficult for uncommon minds to hit upon the grand and the sublime than to avoid all kinds of errors.