The phrase "a big hit when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was very successful or popular at a specific time or under certain circumstances.
Example: "The new movie was a big hit when it was released during the summer blockbuster season."
Alternatives: "a great success when" or "very popular when".
Q. "Broadchurch" was a big hit when it was shown in England in March.
"They took a big hit when Lou Dobbs left," said Bruno Cohen, CNBC's executive vice president.
"Der Rosenkavalier" was a big hit when it opened in Dresden, not Berlin, where it was deemed too licentious.
The Lego Movie is shaping up to be a big hit when it is released next week, following a series of very successful trailers.
She added that that aspect of the business "started to take a big hit when the economy tanked, which is when we launched our high-end line".
The original "Rudolph" song, which was inspired by a department-store promotion and became a big hit when sung by Gene Autry, only had one misfit, Rudolph.
For participants who had encountered a hassle in their day, adopting a nonjudgmental stance also seemed to protect their positive feelings (which took a bigger hit when people were less accepting of their hassles).
It was a bigger hit when it was picked up by a new video site launched last month by Witness, the human rights nonprofit group founded by British rock star Peter Gabriel.
Ed Orgeron still hopes to be named LSU's full-time coach at the end of the season, but his candidacy took a rather big hit when the Tigers lost to injury-ravaged Florida on Saturday in a game that was moved from Gainesville to Baton Rouge — at LSU's urging — after being postponed by Hurricane Matthew earlier this year.
Otherwise, Pfizer may take a very big hit when Lipitor goes generic.
They scored a big hit a month ago when they forced the secretive Intelligence Ministry to admit its involvement in a spate of murders of political dissidents and intellectuals.
