deep hole
1 [C] a large deep hole in the ground:
We dug a deep pit in the yard. * The body had been dumped in a pit.
2 [C] (especially in compounds) a deep hole in the ground from which minerals are dug out:
a chalk / gravel pit
mine
3 [C] = COALMINE:
pit closures * (BrE) He went down the pit (= started work as a miner) when he left school.
in skin
4 a small shallow hole in the surface of sth, especially a mark left on the surface of the skin by some disease, such as CHICKENPOX
seealsoPITTED
in fruit
5 (especially AmE) = STONE(5):
a peach pit
in motor racing
6 (the pits) [pl.] (BrE) (AmE the pit [C]) a place near the track where cars can stop for fuel, new tyres, etc. during a race
seealsoPITSTOP
in theatre
7 = ORCHESTRAPIT
part of body
8 (AmE, informal) = ARMPIT
in business
9 (AmE) the area of a STOCKEXCHANGE where a particular product is traded:
the corn pit
compareFLOOR(6)
seealsoSANDPIT
IDIOMS
be the pits (informal) to be very bad or the worst example of sth
the pit of your / the stomach the bottom of the stomach where people say they feel strong feelings, especially fear:
He had a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
moreatBOTTOMLESS
verb (-tt-) [VN] [usuallypassive]
make holes
1 to make marks or holes on the surface of sth:
The surface of the moon is pitted with craters. * Smallpox scars had pitted his face.
fruit
2 = STONE(2):
pitted dates / olives
PHRASALVERBS
pit sb/sth against sth to test sb or their strength, intelligence, etc. in a struggle or contest against sb/sth else:
Lawyers and accountants felt that they were being pitted against each other. * a chance to pit your wits against the world champions (= in a test of your intelligence)
