deal a blow
idiom
formal
: to hit (someone or something) so as to cause harm
He dealt his enemy a mighty blow.
—usually used figurativelyThe factory closing will deal a serious/severe/devastating/crushing blow to the town's economy.
Her career as an ice skater was dealt a fatal blow when she broke her leg.
Examples of deal a blow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Depending on how it is interpreted, such a treaty could deal a blow to the country’s biggest export: Fiji Water.
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By Aryn Baker/lautoka, Fiji , TIME, 3 July 2024
The editors overwhelmingly support that label but continue to debate the decision, which could ultimately deal a blow to the credibility of the leading source of research and information on antisemitism.
—David Goldman, CNN, 20 June 2024
The harvesting closures may deal a blow to Pacific Northwest fisheries.
—TIME, 11 June 2024
Impact on local fisheries The harvesting closures may deal a blow to Pacific Northwest fisheries.
—CBS News, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deal a blow 
By Aryn Baker/lautoka, Fiji , TIME, 3 July 2024
The editors overwhelmingly support that label but continue to debate the decision, which could ultimately deal a blow to the credibility of the leading source of research and information on antisemitism.
—David Goldman, CNN, 20 June 2024
The harvesting closures may deal a blow to Pacific Northwest fisheries.
—TIME, 11 June 2024
Impact on local fisheries The harvesting closures may deal a blow to Pacific Northwest fisheries.
—CBS News, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deal a blow
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deal a blow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Deal a blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deal%20a%20blow. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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