a small blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor impact or setback, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "After receiving a small blow to his confidence, he quickly regained his composure and continued with the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

THEY also strike a small blow at the impersonality of life, and death.

The New York Times

The Californian software firm was accused by a big shareholder of understating grants of options to the company's boss, Tom Siebel, glossing over other grants and failing to account properly for options.Amazon struck a small blow against spam.

The Economist

"There's no question that we believe that if they could clear the Abu Sayyaf group out of Basilan Island, that would be a small blow against the extended Al Qaeda network," Mr. Wolfowitz said.

The New York Times

State Senator Thomas Kean Jr. got a step closer to striking a small blow against unwieldy bureaucracy last week when the Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill that would grant local officials authority over traffic signs on local roads.

The New York Times

Their goal is to get as many people as possible to buy nothing at all over a 24-hour span on Friday in the United States (and Saturday elsewhere around the world), as a small blow against what they say are the destructive efforts of advertisers and corporations to fuel the deep-rooted human tendency to want the next new thing.

The New York Times

There's no question that we believe that if they could clear the Abu Sayyaf group out of Basilan Island, that would be a small blow against the extended Al Qaeda network… (But the Manila government is) very anxious to do it themselves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The ion generator used for the experiment was a commercially available air ionizer (Dr. USB, IMH Co. Korea) which consists of a small blowing fan and tip electrodes for air ionization through the arc discharge method [18].

Micro and Nano Systems Letters

One of my best summers consisted of taking my then one-year-old to a friend's 'backyard pool.' Now mind you, this was not a lavish pool with a spa -- instead, it was a small blow-up pool perfect for two toddlers to splash around in with their moms.

Huffington Post

A small blast of frustrated air blew through those Black Dahlia lips.

The New Yorker

The results are three different pictures that range in sentimentality from dry to mushy: a complicated diagram, a 10-year-old black-and-white picture of both brothers in a photo booth and a color picture of his brother as a small boy blowing on a dandelion.

The New York Times - Books

This newer system was based on the explosive property of potassium chlorate and fulminate of mercury, both of which detonate when struck a small, sharp blow by a striker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "minor setback" or "slight impact" for variety and to maintain the appropriate tone in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a small blow" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "significant setback" or "major impact". Using "a small blow" in such contexts can undermine the gravity of the situation and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small blow" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and used to denote a minor setback or impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small blow" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that refers to a minor setback or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the scale of the event to avoid misrepresenting the situation. Consider synonyms like "minor setback" or "slight impact" for variations in tone and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor setback

Emphasizes the temporary and non-critical nature of the impediment.

a slight setback

Highlights the insignificance of the obstacle encountered.

a minor inconvenience

Focuses on the bothersome, yet unimportant, aspect of the situation.

a trivial setback

Underlines the unimportance of the difficulty encountered.

a light tap

Implies a gentle or weak impact, either physical or metaphorical.

a modest impact

Stresses the limited effect or influence of the action or event.

a negligible impact

Highlights the minimal effect or consequence.

a minor hit

Conveys a mild negative consequence or effect.

a mere bump

Suggests a negligible disruption or obstacle.

a gentle nudge

Implies a subtle push or influence that is not forceful.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small blow" to describe a minor setback or impact. For example: "The company suffered "a small blow" when the deal fell through, but quickly recovered.".

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

You can use alternatives like "minor setback", "slight impact", or "minor inconvenience" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a small blow" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small blow" is appropriate for formal writing as long as it accurately reflects the magnitude of the event being described. However, consider alternatives like "minor setback" for a more formal tone.

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

"A small blow" indicates a minor, easily recoverable impact, while "a major setback" implies a significant obstacle that may substantially hinder progress or success.