Hit hard, broke (8)
I believe the answer is:
strapped
'broke' is the definition.
(strapped for cash)
'hit hard' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'hit' could be 'rap' (rap can mean to knock or hit) and 'rap' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strapped that I've seen before include "in need of money" , "not generating enough cash?" , "broke" , "- - for cash (hard up)" , "Secured; short of money" .)