deal a blow

Meaning

This idiom means to cause deep harm, disappointment, or a severe setback to someone or something. While it can refer to a physical strike, in daily life it is almost always used metaphorically to describe bad news, financial losses, or failed plans.

Examples

• The sudden cancellation of the contract dealt a heavy blow to the small company.

  The sudden cancellation of the contract dealt a heavy blow to the small company.

• Losing their star player right before the finals dealt a blow to the team's confidence.

  Losing their star player right before the finals dealt a blow to the team's confidence.

• The unexpected storm dealt a blow to the local tourism industry this weekend.

  The unexpected storm dealt a blow to the local tourism industry this weekend.

• Failing the final exam dealt a blow to his plans of graduating this semester.

  Failing the final exam dealt a blow to his plans of graduating this semester.

• The new regulations have dealt a serious blow to small business owners.

  The new regulations have dealt a serious blow to small business owners.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The bad news gave a blow to our plans.

  ✓ The bad news dealt a blow to our plans.

  The standard verb collocation for this idiom is 'deal' (or sometimes 'strike'), not 'give'.

• ✗ The loss dealt a blow on his confidence.

  ✓ The loss dealt a blow to his confidence.

  The preposition that follows the phrase 'deal a blow' is always 'to', not 'on' or 'at'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The sudden loss of funding is sure to ___ to our research project.

  💡 Cause a major setback or disappointment.

  Show answer

  deal a blow

• A bad review can easily ___ to a new restaurant's reputation.

  💡 Harm or damage significantly.

  Show answer

  deal a blow