It came down in stair rods last night.

It's raining heavily outside, it's coming down in stair rods.

It was raining heavily, coming down in stair rods.

He paid back in his own coin for all the insults he had received.

He paid back in his own coin by playing a prank on his friend.

He pays back in his own coin.

She took the criticism in stride and used it as motivation to improve.

She takes criticism in stride.

She has taken the criticism in stride and continued to work hard.

She is taking the criticism in stride.