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
Likely the final debate in a close presidential race, the event was one of the last opportunities for each to deal a blow to the opposing campaign and introduce themselves to voters.
—
Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
By this time tomorrow, the troubled company could add another mess to its growing list of problems: A massive strike by 33,000 of its workers that could stop airplane production at America’s largest exporter and deal a blow to the US economy.
—Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 12 Sep. 2024
Depending on how it is interpreted, such a treaty could deal a blow to the country’s biggest export: Fiji Water.
—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
See all Example Sentences for deal a blow 
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Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
By this time tomorrow, the troubled company could add another mess to its growing list of problems: A massive strike by 33,000 of its workers that could stop airplane production at America’s largest exporter and deal a blow to the US economy.
—Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 12 Sep. 2024
Depending on how it is interpreted, such a treaty could deal a blow to the country’s biggest export: Fiji Water.
—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
See all Example Sentences for deal a blow
Dictionary Entries Near deal a blow
Cite this Entry
“Deal a blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deal%20a%20blow. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
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