a significant blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious setback or negative impact in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or emotional situations. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a significant blow to the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

None considered it a significant blow to La Familia.

The New Yorker

Losing Clemens is a significant blow to a wobbly rotation.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a significant blow in more ways than one.

The Guardian - Sport

Losing the sign-and-trade option is a significant blow.

The New York Times - Sports

BT Sport's coup is a significant blow to Sky and ITV, the existing rights holders.

The Guardian - Sport

This is clearly therefore a significant blow, and the profit impact will therefore be substantial.

The Guardian - Business

The opinion represents a significant blow to Obama during his final months in office.

The Guardian

If so, the official said, it would deal Al Qaeda a significant blow.

The New York Times

Wold struck a significant blow for his team on the diagramed deal, and it proved decisive.

The New York Times - Arts

If Mr. Somali was indeed killed, it would be a significant blow, an American official said.

The New York Times

Relief experts say that was a significant blow to the organization from its largest member.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a significant blow", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being negatively affected. Providing specific details will enhance the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant blow" when the situation is only mildly inconvenient. Reserve it for situations with genuinely serious consequences to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant blow" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe a negative event or setback that has a substantial impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a significant blow" is a common and effective way to describe a serious setback or negative impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key; make sure to clearly indicate what is being negatively impacted. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for situations with truly substantial consequences to maintain impact and credibility. Alternatives like "a major setback" or "a serious setback" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. The phrase conveys a sense of something bad or unfortunate. It's used in situations when someone loses something important to them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major setback

This alternative emphasizes the hindering aspect of the event on progress or plans.

a serious setback

This alternative highlights the severity of the negative event.

a major setback

This phrase suggests a serious impediment that might require significant changes in plans or strategies.

a heavy hit

This alternative uses more informal language to describe a strong negative impact.

a substantial setback

This alternative underlines the considerable extent of the impediment.

a critical setback

This alternative suggests that the event could potentially decide the ultimate outcome.

a notable setback

This alternative accentuates how obvious or worthy of attention the negative event is.

a considerable setback

This alternative points to the scale or importance of the hindering effect.

a tough break

This alternative uses an idiom to describe an instance of bad luck or misfortune.

a damaging setback

This phrase is more intense emphasizing the harm caused.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant blow" to describe a serious setback or negative event, such as: "The cancellation of the event was "a significant blow" to the local economy".

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

You can use alternatives like "a major setback", "a serious setback", or "a heavy hit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a significant blow to" something?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "a significant blow" is often followed by "to" to indicate what is being negatively impacted, such as, "The new policy is "a significant blow" to small businesses".

What is the difference between "a setback" and "a significant blow"?

While both describe negative events, ""a significant blow"" implies a more severe and impactful negative consequence than a general "setback". A setback can be minor, while a significant blow suggests considerable damage or disruption.