a devastating blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and harmful impact or setback, often in emotional, physical, or situational contexts. Example: "The news of the company's bankruptcy was a devastating blow to all the employees who had dedicated years of their lives to the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1985 Lindsay contracted leukaemia, and died, a devastating blow.

The Guardian

Union leaders called the news a devastating blow for staff.

The Guardian - Business

His season was over before it even began, a devastating blow to the Angels' middling offense.

The New York Times

Finally, the time comes for him to get married, and this deals Charu a devastating blow.

The New Yorker

So, does any of this sound like a devastating blow to seniors' health care?

The New York Times

This book delivers a devastating blow to the former President's reputation.

Forbes

And he could help Clinton carry Ohio, a devastating blow to Trump.

HuffPost

A devastating blow to Sendero's combative spirit was delivered by Guzman himself.

Los Angeles Times

This was a devastating blow.

The New York Times

It was a devastating blow.

Independent

It's a devastating blow".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a devastating blow" to convey the magnitude of negative impacts, especially when describing events that cause significant emotional, economic, or strategic damage.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating blow" to describe trivial setbacks; reserve it for truly significant and damaging events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating blow" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It denotes an event or occurrence that has a significantly negative and impactful effect. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a devastating blow" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys a significant negative impact or setback. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, sports, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to reserve it for genuinely impactful situations to avoid diluting its meaning. Alternatives such as "a crushing defeat" or "a severe setback" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in describing adverse events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crushing defeat

Focuses on the completeness of the loss or failure.

a severe setback

Emphasizes the hindrance or delay caused by the event.

a crippling setback

Highlights the disabling or limiting nature of the event.

a fatal setback

Suggests an irrecoverable or terminal impact.

a calamitous event

Stresses the disastrous and tragic nature.

a damaging impact

Focuses on the harm caused by the event.

a grave misfortune

Emphasizes the seriousness and adversity of the situation.

a ruinous outcome

Highlights the destructive and devastating result.

a painful episode

Focuses on the emotional suffering caused by the event.

a bitter pill to swallow

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and difficulty in accepting the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a devastating blow" in a sentence?

You can use "a devastating blow" to describe a significant setback or damaging event. For example, "The factory closure was "a devastating blow" to the local economy".

What can I say instead of "a devastating blow"?

You can use alternatives like "a crushing defeat", "a severe setback", or "a crippling setback" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a devastating blow" or "a devastating hit"?

"A devastating blow" is generally preferred when describing emotional or strategic setbacks. While "a devastating hit" can be used in a similar context, it's more commonly associated with physical impacts or attacks. Both are acceptable, but the best choice depends on the specific situation.

What's the difference between "a devastating blow" and "a devastating setback"?

While similar, ""a devastating blow"" emphasizes the immediate and forceful nature of the impact, whereas "a devastating setback" highlights the hindrance and delay caused by the event.