take a hit
- Verb (intransitive):
- To inhale smoke, especially from a cigarette or drug, through the nose: This is the primary and most literal meaning, referring to the act of drawing smoke into the lungs via the nasal passages.
- To suffer a significant setback, loss, or damage: In a figurative and very common sense, it means to experience a negative impact, such as a financial loss, reputational damage, or physical/emotional blow.
Literal meaning (inhaling smoke): He took a hit from the cigarette and immediately started coughing.She took a hit of the medicinal vaporizer to relieve her symptoms.
Figurative meaning (suffer a setback): The company's stock price took a hit after the scandal was revealed.My confidence took a hit when I failed the first exam.
"to take a hit for the team": To willingly accept blame, punishment, or a negative consequence to protect or benefit a group. The manager took a hit for the team by accepting responsibility for the project's failure.
"to take a direct hit": To suffer the full, undiluted impact of an attack or negative event. The coastal town took a direct hit from the hurricane.
Hit (n): A single inhalation of smoke; a successful strike; a popular success. He took one last hit from the joint.The song was a massive hit.
Take (v): To receive or accept something (often used in many phrasal verb combinations).
- Inhale: To breathe in (a substance).
- Suffer: To experience or be subjected to something bad.
- Endure: To suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.
Take a blow: Similar to the figurative meaning, to suffer an impact or setback. The economy took a severe blow during the crisis.
Take a loss: To accept or suffer a financial deficit. The investor had to take a loss on the failed venture.
- Roll with the punches: To adapt to difficulties, often used in contexts where one is "taking hits."
- inhale through the nose