Definition

Noun: 1. A list of people or targets marked for harm, elimination, or punishment: A "hit list" is a list identifying specific individuals or entities that someone intends to harm, kill, or otherwise target for negative action. It implies a premeditated plan of attack or retribution.

Usage

The term "hit list" is used to describe a planned, targeted set of actions against specific, named individuals or groups. It is often associated with criminal or violent intent but can be used metaphorically in less severe contexts.

Examples

• Literal/Criminal Context:
  • The police discovered a hit list in the suspect's apartment, containing the names of several witnesses.
  • The gang leader kept a hit list of rival members.
• Metaphorical/Business Context:
  • The new CEO has a hit list of underperforming departments slated for restructuring.
  • My hit list of tasks for the weekend includes cleaning the garage and paying the bills.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on someone's hit list": To be one of the targets identified for negative action.
  • After his critical report, he was definitely on the manager's hit list.
• "To draw up/make a hit list": To create such a list.
  • The committee drew up a hit list of programs to cut from the budget.

Variants and Related Words

• Hit (verb, in this context): To kill or attack, especially as a planned criminal act.
  • The mob boss ordered his men to hit the informant.
• Target list (noun): A more neutral term for a list of objectives, not inherently implying violence.
  • The marketing team developed a target list of potential clients.

Synonyms

• Death list
• Target list
• Blacklist (implies exclusion or boycott rather than physical harm)
• Enemies list

Related Phrases

• Shortlist (noun): A list of selected candidates from a longer list, typically for a positive purpose like a job or award. This is conceptually opposite in intent.
  • She made the shortlist for the literary prize.

Noun

1. a list of victims to be eliminated (as by murder)