blows of life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blows of life" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
The phrase you are likely looking for is "ebbs and flows" which means the rising and falling of something, such as the tide. Example: The ebbs and flows of life can be challenging.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If you don't attack, you're just receiving all the blows of life".

The New York Times

You can see this therapeutic dimension most clearly when evangelicals respond to the body blows of life.

The New York Times

For people who aren't so good at coping with stressors, it may be that they've never been particularly good at it or it could be that they were once good, but the losses and blows of life have worn away their resilience over time.

Forbes

Locked up in a mental home, his sanity fractured by the cruel blows of life and the whiplash turns of history, Thomas is a 75-year-old doddering wreck of a man, a Lear-like figure in grimy long johns fancifully babbling his story.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Albert Speer later said Hitler described Hess's departure as one of the worst personal blows of his life, as he considered it a personal betrayal.

Wikipedia

Speer later said Hitler described Hess's departure as one of the worst blows of his life, as he considered it a personal betrayal.

Wikipedia

But when it comes time for her to receive the blow of her life -- her husband, whom she just caught kissing another woman, shouts, "You Jew!... You're going to die!" -- she barely reacts.

The New York Times

The other (2 4 25), ascribed to J, starts with an arid wasteland and the creation of a particular man, described specifically as being formed by God out of dust and made into a living thing by God blowing the breath of life into him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His blown-up records of life with his family at home in their cluttered council flat have a compelling and sometimes terrible candour, and at times a weird grandeur at odds with their everyday subject matter - mum Liz, smoking at a window, alcoholic Ray, laughing drunk at his reflection in a mirror.

The Guardian - Arts

Somewhere between survival and revolution, young Serbians blew a breath of life into Belgrade.

Huffington Post

The first human had been created without a soul, so Melek Tawus blew the breath of life into him.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing life's challenges, consider using more conventional expressions like "hardships of life" or "vicissitudes of life" for clarity and better reception.

Common error

Avoid interpreting "blows of life" too literally. The phrase is often used metaphorically to represent unexpected difficulties or misfortunes, not physical attacks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, although identified as non-standard by Ludwig AI, functions as a noun phrase describing negative experiences or challenges encountered throughout one's existence. It operates metaphorically, representing the hardships and difficulties inherent in the human condition, as seen in the provided examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "blows of life" is used to describe hardships and challenges, Ludwig AI flags it as not grammatically correct. More common and accepted alternatives include "hardships of life" and "vicissitudes of life". The phrase appears mainly in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the potential for misinterpretation and opt for clearer, more conventional expressions to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misfortunes of life

Replaces "blows" with "misfortunes", emphasizing the unfortunate nature of life's difficulties.

hardships of life

Uses "hardships" to highlight the difficult conditions and challenges experienced in life.

vicissitudes of life

Employs "vicissitudes" to denote the unpredictable changes and variations that characterize life.

trials and tribulations of life

Expands the expression to include both "trials" and "tribulations", stressing the tests and suffering life presents.

challenges of life

Substitutes "blows" with "challenges", framing life's difficulties as opportunities for growth and resilience.

setbacks in life

Replaces "blows" with "setbacks", focusing on obstacles that delay or prevent progress.

adversities of life

Uses "adversities" to emphasize the difficult and unfavorable situations encountered in life.

difficulties in life

Replaces "blows" with "difficulties", providing a general term for the problems and struggles experienced.

burdens of life

Uses "burdens" to highlight the heavy responsibilities and emotional weights carried throughout life.

ordeals of life

Employs "ordeals" to denote severe or trying experiences that test one's character and endurance.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "blows of life"?

You can use alternatives like "hardships of life", "challenges of life", or "misfortunes of life" depending on the context.

Is "blows of life" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "blows of life" is not considered standard English. It might be more appropriate to use phrases like "hardships of life" or "vicissitudes of life".

How can I use the phrase "blows of life" in a sentence?

While not the most common phrase, you might say, "Despite the "blows of life", she remained optimistic." However, consider using a more common alternative for clarity.

What's the difference between "blows of life" and "ebbs and flows of life"?

"Blows of life" refers to negative events and difficulties, while "ebbs and flows of life" describes the natural ups and downs, both positive and negative, that occur over time.