hit hard

hit (someone or something) hard

To affect someone or something in a profoundly negative way. Often used in a passive construction. I know losing his job hit Jeff hard, but he needs to get back up and start looking for work. The recent increase on tariffs has hit importers hard.See also: hard, hit

hit someone hard

Fig. to affect someone's emotions strongly. The death of his friend hit John hard. The investor was hit hard by the falling stock prices.See also: hard, hit