31.   Banking stocks took a hit as higher rates also threaten to stifle demand for credit and make it harder for debtors to pay back loans.

32.   Bass player Mike Dirnt took a hit in the head.

33.   Because of a large contract and large reputation, Alex Rodriguez takes the hit for what has gone wrong thus far.

34.   Because of the state budget provision, Montford said, the adult treatment programs took the hit.

35.   Because they are less sensitive to interest-rate shifts, they managed to hold up last year, when most bond funds took big hits.

36.   Bezos probably feels especially pinata-like after weeks of taking hits from all sides.

37.   Boeheim concedes that every league takes hits like that these days.

38.   Besides, the story goes, he bailed out just in time to allegedly let a pal take the hit, so to speak.

39.   Bondholders have taken a hit, too, he said.

40.   Both quarterbacks will take a hit.