struck a blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck a blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to indicate making a significant impact or taking decisive action against something. Example: "The activists struck a blow for justice by organizing the protest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sri Lanka has struck a blow for democracy.

The Economist

Garry Kasparov: Ukraine has struck a blow at Putin's assassins.

The Washington Post

Dexter, unwittingly, may have struck a blow for sanity.

The New York Times

So the Liberal Democrats have struck a blow for sanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Had I struck a blow for the volume-conscious everywhere?

The New York Times

Barbara Ehrenreich has struck a blow for sanity.

The New York Times

Leichtweis had struck a blow for old-fashioned empiricism.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Tottenham manager said he hoped he had struck a blow for English managers.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Trump has struck a blow against both.

The Washington Post

It's not a stretch to say that Wikileaks has again struck a blow for transparency with this latest publication.

Vice

The state had also, intentionally or not, struck a blow against a once-bustling and virtually unchecked commercial industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struck a blow" when you want to emphasize a forceful or decisive action taken against something, often implying opposition or challenge. It's best suited for situations where a tangible impact is made.

Common error

Avoid using "struck a blow" in situations where a gentle or subtle approach is more appropriate. This phrase suggests a forceful action and may not fit contexts requiring nuance or diplomacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck a blow" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a significant action or event that has a noticeable impact, often in a context of opposition or conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struck a blow" is a common idiom used to describe a significant action or event, often one that opposes something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, consider its forceful connotation and whether it aligns with the intended tone. Alternatives like "made an impact" or "advanced the cause" might be more suitable depending on the context. While grammatically sound, be mindful of the audience and situation to ensure the idiom's impact is appropriate. Be careful about the register; while mostly neutral, more formal writing styles could need for more appropriate alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made an impact

A broader term, indicating influence or effect without necessarily implying opposition.

dealt a setback

Indicates a negative impact or hindrance, rather than a positive or forceful action.

turned the tide

Suggests reversing a negative trend or outcome.

scored a victory

Focuses on achieving success or winning a specific objective.

advanced the cause

Emphasizes contributing to a particular goal or movement.

made inroads

Indicates gradual progress or penetration into a new area.

landed a punch

More literal and aggressive, suggesting a direct attack or confrontation.

achieved a breakthrough

Highlights overcoming an obstacle or making significant progress.

gained an advantage

Suggests obtaining a beneficial position or opportunity.

inflicted damage

Focuses on causing harm or weakening an opponent.

FAQs

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

The phrase "struck a blow" is used to indicate a significant action, often in opposition to something. For example, "The new law "struck a blow" against corruption".

What are some alternatives to "struck a blow"?

You can use alternatives like "made an impact", "dealt a setback", or "scored a victory" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "struck a blow" in formal writing?

While "struck a blow" is acceptable in formal writing, consider the specific context. Alternatives like "made significant progress" might be more suitable in some formal situations.

What's the difference between "struck a blow" and "made an effort"?

"Struck a blow" implies a decisive and impactful action, while "made an effort" simply indicates an attempt or exertion of energy, without necessarily achieving a significant result.