took the hit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took the hit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone accepting the consequences of a situation or taking responsibility for a negative outcome. Example: "When the project failed, Sarah took the hit and explained the situation to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Thune took the hit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her friend took the hit for her".

The New York Times - Style

And golf took the hit.

The New York Times - Sports

Hevesi said, "We took the hit for America".

The New York Times

Others think that honest taxpayers took the hit.

The New York Times

Investors started to doubt the sustainability of the rebound and commodities naturally took the hit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I took the hits.

The New York Times - Sports

Credibility takes the hit.

The New York Times

CaixaBank can afford to take the hit.

The Economist

The subs will therefore take the hit.

The Guardian

You take the hit now," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took the hit", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can imply accepting blame, enduring hardship, or mitigating damage for others. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "took the hit" when the subject did not genuinely experience a negative consequence. Ensure the context clearly shows that the subject absorbed a loss, responsibility, or some form of adversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took the hit" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of accepting or enduring negative consequences, responsibility, or blame. Ludwig AI examples show its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took the hit" is a common idiom signifying the acceptance of negative consequences or responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, appearing frequently in news, sports, and business contexts. While seemingly straightforward, its usage carries nuance, indicating either a voluntary sacrifice or an imposed burden. Understanding the context ensures accurate and impactful communication. When writing, consider that the semantic neighborhood of alternatives such as "accepted the blame", "bore the brunt", and "carried the can" can help select an alternative depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted the blame

Focuses specifically on accepting responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

shouldered the responsibility

Emphasizes a willingness to bear the weight of a duty or obligation.

bore the brunt

Highlights the act of enduring the most severe part of a negative impact or force.

paid the price

Focuses on suffering the consequences, often involving a cost or sacrifice.

absorbed the shock

Focuses on mitigating the impact of a sudden, negative event.

faced the music

Suggests accepting the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

carried the can

Implies unfairly taking responsibility, often to protect someone else.

swallowed the bitter pill

Implies reluctantly accepting something unpleasant or difficult.

covered for

Implies protecting someone by taking responsibility for their actions or mistakes.

fell on his sword

Highlights a self-sacrificing acceptance of blame or failure.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "took the hit"?

To say someone "took the hit" means they accepted the negative consequences, blame, or responsibility for something, often to protect others or mitigate the overall damage.

What are some alternatives to "took the hit"?

You can use alternatives such as "accepted the blame", "bore the brunt", or "carried the can" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "took the hit" in a sentence?

You can use "took the hit" to describe someone who faced negative repercussions. For example, "The CEO "took the hit" for the company's financial losses".

Is it correct to say "taken the hit" instead of "took the hit"?

While both can be correct, "took the hit" is the simple past tense. "Taken the hit" requires a helping verb (e.g., has taken the hit, had taken the hit) to be grammatically correct.