critical blow

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical blow" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a damaging event or outcome. Example sentence: The new law was a critical blow to small business owners.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Tester's opposition was a critical blow.

The New York Times

So far, it has not, but the rebels have suffered a critical blow.

The New York Times

The critical blow to the government's cause actually came from an important ally in the coalition national government.

The New York Times

She writes: This would be a critical blow to one of the central premises behind health care reform.

The Guardian

Jones slugged four home runs in the three games, each one a critical blow in the series sweep.

The New York Times - Sports

Ultimately, these outcomes will be owned primarily by residents, with Mass Mesh's reputation sustaining either a healthy boost or critical blow as a result.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps the most serious critical blows struck were those delivered by Galileo after the invention of the telescope.

Britannica

You wake up, sit down at your desk, put yourself through your paces — and wait for the critical blows to fall.

The New York Times - Books

The year ended with the shock of Royal Opera director Kasper Holten, popular and imaginative but enduring some heavy critical blows, announcing his decision to leave in March 2017.

The Guardian - Music

"Given the multiple impacts, the lengthy dragging, and the role of the truck's bumper and wheel immediately below the driver's seat in dealing the critical blows, the driver's claim that he was unaware of any collision shows at the very least a reckless disregard of facts that should have been plainly apparent to any driver," Ms. Lefevre wrote.

The New York Times

The film was a critical blow-out and Gibson revealed why: "It was made in a way that would be completely impossible now.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical blow" when you want to emphasize the severity and potential consequences of a negative event or action. It adds weight to your statement and highlights the significant impact of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "critical blow" to describe trivial or insignificant setbacks. This can diminish the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly serious situations with substantial negative outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical blow" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a pivotal setback or a damaging event that significantly impacts a situation. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing events with severe consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical blow" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes a significant and damaging setback. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media, sports reporting, and academic writing. While it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it should be reserved for situations where a truly severe impact is intended to be conveyed. Alternatives such as "major setback", "devastating impact", and "significant setback" can be used to vary your writing while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant setback

Focuses on the negative impact as a reversal of progress.

major setback

Emphasizes the negative impact as a reversal of progress.

devastating impact

Highlights the severity and destructive nature of the effect.

damaging effect

Highlights the harmful influence or outcome of an action or event.

serious impediment

Focuses on the hindering effect on further progress.

severe detriment

Emphasizes the harm or damage caused to someone or something.

crushing defeat

Implies a complete loss or failure as a result.

grave consequence

Highlights the seriousness and potential long-term effects.

major disadvantage

Stresses the unfavorable position created as a result.

knockout punch

Highlights the finality and decisiveness of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "critical blow" to describe a significant setback or damaging event. For example, "The economic downturn was a critical blow to small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "critical blow"?

Some alternatives include "major setback", "devastating impact", or "significant setback" depending on the specific context.

Is "critical blow" formal or informal?

"Critical blow" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news and analytical writing.

What's the difference between "critical blow" and "fatal blow"?

While both indicate a negative event, "critical blow" suggests a severe setback, whereas "fatal blow" implies an irreversible or terminal outcome.