taking a blow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a blow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe experiencing a setback, disappointment, or physical impact. Example: "After losing the championship game, the team was taking a blow to their morale, but they vowed to come back stronger next season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

And the wind is like taking a blow torch to it".

The New York Times

He was also the focus for aggressive tacklers, twice taking a blow on the head.

The Guardian - Sport

Freeland had to leave the court almost immediately after taking a blow from Anderson Varejao and Brazil built a quick 4-0 lead.

Independent

Ryan Babel has been cleared of serious injury after taking a blow to the ribs in a reserve match this week.

Independent

Luis Guzman sat with soreness in an ankle, and Fernandez checked out with 10 minutes 40 seconds to play after taking a blow to the head.

The New York Times

My favorite moment from the United States-Ghana match wasn't the goals but Clint Dempsey's taking a blow to the face and playing on.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mullard, A. IDO takes a blow.

Nature

Clinton's lead – substantial at that point – took a blow.

The Guardian

The chemistry may have taken a blow this week.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've taken a blow today, but we will get back on our feet," Mr. Hogan said.

The New York Times

He recalled about 10 separate instances in which he took a blow to the head.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a blow" to describe situations where something or someone experiences a sudden negative impact, whether physical or metaphorical. It effectively conveys a sense of being struck or affected by an adverse event.

Common error

Ensure you don't mistake "taking a blow" (receiving an impact) with "delivering a blow" (inflicting an impact). The former indicates being on the receiving end of something negative, while the latter means causing harm or damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a blow" functions as a verbal phrase that typically acts as a noun phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of receiving a negative impact, setback, or hit. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

General Discussions

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking a blow" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the experience of receiving a negative impact, setback, or hit. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase in various writing contexts. It is most frequently found in news and sports reporting, indicating its relevance in describing both physical and metaphorical setbacks. While versatile, it is essential to differentiate it from "delivering a blow" to avoid confusion. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "experiencing a setback" or "suffering a reverse" depending on the nuances you want to convey. Overall, "taking a blow" is a useful and widely understood phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing a setback

Replaces "taking a blow" with a more formal term for encountering difficulties.

suffering a reverse

Emphasizes the negative progression or regression implied in "taking a blow".

receiving an impact

Focuses on the direct effect of an action or event, similar to "taking a blow".

enduring a hardship

Highlights the difficulty and endurance involved in "taking a blow".

facing adversity

Broadens the scope to include any challenging situation, akin to "taking a blow".

undergoing a trial

Suggests a period of testing or difficulty, mirroring the experience of "taking a blow".

absorbing the shock

Highlights the act of withstanding the initial impact, like "taking a blow".

meeting with resistance

Focuses on opposition or challenge encountered, as in "taking a blow".

being impacted negatively

States directly that the experience is harmful or detrimental, similar to "taking a blow".

encountering difficulty

A more general way to describe facing challenges, akin to "taking a blow".

FAQs

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

You can use "taking a blow" to describe experiencing a setback or negative impact. For example: "The company's profits were "taking a blow" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "taking a blow"?

Some alternatives include "suffering a setback", "experiencing difficulties", or "encountering resistance", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "takes a blow" instead of "taking a blow"?

Both "takes a blow" and "taking a blow" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Takes a blow" is used in the present tense, while "taking a blow" is used in continuous tenses (e.g., "is taking a blow") or as a gerund.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "taking a blow"?

It's appropriate to use "taking a blow" when you want to emphasize the immediate impact or negative effect of an event or situation. It can be used in both literal (physical impact) and figurative (setback, disappointment) contexts.