grave blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grave blow' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate something that is serious, significant, or damaging in nature. For example, "The loss of funding was a grave blow for the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Still, the Lebanese security official said that losing Assad would be a grave blow.

The New Yorker

It was a grave blow since the team relies heavily on his delivery from set-pieces.

The Guardian - Sport

But she said Mr. Trubitsyn's arrest had delivered a grave blow to the community's sense of security.

The New York Times

If Mr. Harris were to recant his story, that would be a grave blow to Mr. Tankleff.

The New York Times

Because the school had been exclusively German, this was regarded as a grave blow to the German cause, and the German liberals resigned, forcing Windischgrätz himself to resign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The officials added that the peshmerga had killed at least a hundred ISIS fighters and struck a grave blow to the enemy's morale.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 11 — South Sudan's former rebel movement, which signed a historic peace agreement two years ago with Sudan's ruling party to end one of Africa's longest-running wars, abruptly pulled out of the national unity government on Thursday in the gravest blow yet to the peace accord.

The New York Times

After some initial successes, the unexpected surrender of the strategically important town of Grave was a serious blow to English morale.

Wikipedia

His case is being presented as one of the gravest blows American intelligence has ever suffered.

The Washington Post

This experience has dealt a grave psychological blow to our liberal belief system.

The Guardian

Dr. Drake, for his part, acknowledged that the law school might have sustained a grave prenatal blow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave blow", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being affected. Provide specific details to enhance the impact and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "grave blow" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or inappropriate in lighter settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave blow" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object, describing something as a serious and detrimental setback. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave blow" is a common expression used to describe a significant and detrimental setback, a sentiment that is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis. Functioning as a noun phrase, it emphasizes the seriousness of an event, typically in neutral to formal contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and formal writing. While readily understood, it is crucial to avoid overusing it in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "serious setback" or "substantial blow" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI's examples show its consistent use across authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC reinforcing its grammatical correctness and contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial blow

Replaces "grave" with "substantial", suggesting a significant but not necessarily devastating impact.

serious setback

Uses a different noun, "setback", to convey a hindrance or reversal of progress.

heavy impact

Replaces "blow" with "impact", highlighting the forceful effect of the event.

major disappointment

Conveys a sense of unfulfillment; applies when expectations are not met.

critical failure

Implies a more decisive and potentially irreversible negative outcome.

grievous injury

Shifts the focus to physical harm, often used metaphorically.

devastating effect

Emphasizes the overwhelming and ruinous nature of the impact.

profound consequence

Highlights the long-term and far-reaching implications of the event.

significant impediment

Focuses on the hindering or obstructive nature of the event.

telling indictment

Suggests an accusation or revelation of wrongdoing, leading to the blow.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave blow" to describe a serious setback or damaging event. For example, "The company's financial losses were a "grave blow" to its expansion plans."

What are some synonyms for "grave blow"?

Alternatives to "grave blow" include "serious setback", "substantial blow", or "heavy impact". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grave blow" in formal writing?

Yes, "grave blow" is well-suited for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, and business documents. It conveys a sense of seriousness and significance.

What's the difference between "grave blow" and "serious blow"?

"Grave blow" emphasizes the severity and potential long-term consequences of the negative event, whereas "serious blow" simply indicates that the event is significant but not necessarily devastating.