ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take a hit

idiom
Meaning

To suffer undesirable consequences, especially a decrease in reputation, score, etc.


Examples
SIMPLE

My grades took a hit after I missed the final exam.

CONTEXTUAL

The company's reputation took a hit when the news report revealed their poor safety standards.

COMPLEX

Although the team performed well during the season, their overall ranking took a hit following the unexpected loss in the championship tournament.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  3. 03

    don't let the door hit you on the way out

    Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved, to see the addressed person leaving.

  4. 04

    fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch

    To become extremely unattractive.

  5. 05

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  6. 06

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  7. 07

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  8. 08

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

Last updated April 17, 2026