large blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant impact or setback, often in a metaphorical sense, such as in discussions about events or situations that have a considerable negative effect. Example: "The sudden loss of funding was a large blow to the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Although debarment is rare, he said, "that could be a very large blow both to reputation and to business BP does with the federal government".

The New York Times

In a large blow to the Serious Fraud Office, five of the six brokers accused of helping Tom Hayes – who is serving 11 years in prison – to rig Libor have been cleared.

The Guardian

The growing frustration with the government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa this weekend is a large blow to Islamabad, which is often criticized for being disconnected from the needs of the people in the province, which represents a pivotal battleground against the Islamic insurgency.

The New York Times

The tensions have prompted four Arab countries — Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates — to warn their citizens not to travel to Lebanon, which could deal a large blow to the pending summer travel season, a main engine of Lebanon's economy.

The New York Times

Design procedure of large blow moulding machine rack is discussed in the article.

Physics Procedia

This is a potentially large blow to Obamacare's political support.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It's a 'bring your pet and do it yourself' or a 'call your groomer' space," Ms. Frumkes says of the spotless tiled room equipped with a large blow-dryer table and a deep stainless-steel sink.

The New York Times

Each physical fragment of texts is reproduced twice, once at actual size and once in a large blow-up several feet wide, and the texts are transcribed and translated beside them, in German and English.

The New Yorker

The singularity is due to large blowing at each wall which pushes the shear layer to the core region [36].

Boundary Value Problems

And because said boyfriend, who is a photographer, is busy creating politically-oriented art, large blow-ups of Abu Ghraib photos make their way into several scenes.

Huffington Post

The German commander, General Erich Ludendorff, decided that the first and largest blow should fall on the British.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "large blow" to describe a significant setback, impact, or disappointment, especially in formal contexts or when emphasizing the magnitude of the negative effect.

Common error

Avoid using "large blow" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "major setback" or "big disappointment" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large blow" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant negative impact or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, illustrating its role in conveying a sense of substantial adversity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large blow" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a significant setback or negative impact. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, with some presence in encyclopedic and general reference sources. While acceptable, it's not as common as alternatives like "significant setback" or "major disappointment", making it suitable for formal and professional contexts where emphasizing the magnitude of a negative event is important. When writing, consider your audience and the overall tone to decide if "large blow" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant setback

Focuses on the idea of hindering progress or causing delay.

serious setback

Emphasizes gravity and difficult to overcome.

considerable setback

Emphasizes gravity and difficult to overcome.

heavy setback

Emphasizes gravity and difficult to overcome.

substantial setback

Emphasizes gravity and difficult to overcome.

major disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of disillusionment or dissatisfaction.

crushing blow

Implies a more devastating or overwhelming negative impact.

devastating impact

Implies a strong, destructive effect on something.

severe repercussion

Focuses on the negative consequences of an action or event.

critical failure

Implies the event involves an important goal or project.

FAQs

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

You can use "large blow" to describe something that has had a significantly negative effect, such as "The cancellation of the event was a "large blow" to the local economy".

What can I say instead of "large blow"?

You can use alternatives like "significant setback", "major disappointment", or "devastating impact" depending on the context.

Is "large blow" formal or informal?

"Large blow" leans toward a slightly more formal register. In very casual contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "large blow"?

It is appropriate to use "large blow" when you want to emphasize the magnitude or severity of a negative impact or setback, especially in news, business, or academic contexts.