hit the dirt
to fall to the ground, or to quickly lie on the ground, especially to avoid danger

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

hit the dirt
hit the deck/dirt
[American & Australian, informal]
to fall to the ground, or to quickly lie on the ground, especially to avoid danger.
The shooting started, and I heard someone shout 'Hit the deck!'

to fall to the ground suddenly to avoid danger.
At the sound of gunfire, we all hit the deck.

to fall to the ground suddenly to avoid danger.
The kid next door threw a rock at him, but Ted hit the dirt and the rock didn't hit him.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hit the dirt
fall on the ground and take cover under gunfire
We were told to hit the dirt during the bank robbery.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hit the dirt
v. phr., slang, military To take cover under gunfire by falling on the ground.
We hit the dirt the moment we heard the machine gun fire.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲