crushing blow
Hopes dashed completely
A crushing blow is a strike or setback so severe it destroys hope or ends resistance.
The phrase works literally—a physical blow that crushes—but more often figuratively: The candidate's scandal was a crushing blow to the campaign.
A crushing blow doesn't just damage; it devastates, leaving little chance of recovery.
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- deathblowFinal, fatal stroke
- coup de grâceMerciful finishing blow
mortal wound · hammer · sledgehammer · impact · shatter · defeat · devastation · sucker punch · one-two punch · lights out · ruin · annihilation · setback · bitter pill · harsh reality · heartbreak · staggering · reeling
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
- body idiomsheart of gold, heart of stone, cold heart, warm heart, soft heart
- finishing blowsdeathblow, finisher, finishing move, kill shot, knockout
crushing blowflesh wound
Shallow cut, no organs
slap on the wrist · speed bump · non-issue · blip · nothing burger
crushing blowdecisive victory
Overwhelming win, clear outcome
windfall · stroke of luck · godsend · turning point · lucky break
crushing blowshot in the arm
Revitalizing boost or injection
ray of hope · breath of fresh air · silver lining · pleasant surprise · answered prayer
crush, crushes, crushed, crusher, crushers, crushing, crushingly, blow, blows