crushing blow

USAGE SUMMARY

"crushing blow" is a phrase commonly used in written English and can be used to describe a devastating event, decision, or other occurrences that causes a significant setback.
For example: "The news of the company's bankruptcy was a crushing blow to its loyal employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The crushing blow with 31..

The New York Times

This seemed, at first, a crushing blow.

The Economist

"It's a crushing blow for me.

Independent

Kennedy's murder was a crushing blow to this complex.

University of California, Berkeley

For Halladay, the injury was a crushing blow.

The New York Times - Sports

For many a Chicagoan it was a crushing blow.

The New York Times - Sports

Björk: Vulnicura Imagine the crushing blow of a devastating heartbreak.

The Guardian - Music

The next day, Stars & Stripes dealt a crushing blow.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then came a crushing blow: a score in the low 60s on her calculus midterm.

The New York Times

The singer dealt with the crushing blow, the only way she could -- through her music.

HuffPost

It has been a crushing blow".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crushing blow" to describe situations where the impact is not just negative, but significantly damaging or disheartening. It is most effective when the context involves plans, hopes, or progress being severely derailed.

Common error

Avoid using "crushing blow" for minor inconveniences or temporary delays. Reserve it for events that cause substantial and lasting negative consequences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crushing blow" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event or piece of news as severely damaging or disheartening, per Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crushing blow" is a noun phrase widely used to describe a significantly damaging or disheartening event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media and Academic contexts. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for situations with substantial and lasting negative consequences. Alternatives such as "devastating setback" or "severe blow" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devastating setback

Focuses on the negative impact as a reversal of progress.

severe blow

Emphasizes the intensity and impact of the negative event.

major setback

Highlights the significant hindrance to progress or plans.

crippling setback

Implies a severe impediment, causing significant damage or dysfunction.

bitter disappointment

Focuses on the emotional aspect of the negative event, emphasizing sadness and frustration.

serious reverse

Describes a negative event that reverses a previous positive trend or outcome.

heavy burden

Highlights the weight and difficulty imposed by the event or situation.

tough break

Indicates a piece of bad luck or misfortune.

setback

Refers to something that delays progress or reverses a trend.

catastrophe

Emphasizes the disastrous and overwhelming nature of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "crushing blow" to describe a devastating event or setback. For example, "The loss of funding was a crushing blow to the research project."

What can I say instead of "crushing blow"?

You can use alternatives like "devastating setback", "severe blow", or "major setback" depending on the context.

Is "crushing blow" an idiom?

"Crushing blow" functions as an idiom because its meaning is not simply the sum of its parts. While "crushing" means severely damaging and "blow" means a strike or shock, together they describe a particularly devastating setback or disappointment.

What's the difference between "crushing blow" and "minor setback"?

A "crushing blow" implies significant and possibly irreversible damage, whereas a "minor setback" is a temporary delay or inconvenience that does not significantly impact the overall outcome.