like a ton of bricks

Idioms  

1. Very heavily, without subtlety. For example, If he doesn't like your work, he'll come down on you like a ton of bricks. This expression, often coupled with come down on (def. 1), replaced the earlier thousand of brick or hundred of brick. The allusion in all these is to the considerable weight of such a load. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Earnings and revenue crushed estimates, but DoorDash’s plans to invest “several hundred million dollars” next year in technology and new initiatives fell like a ton of bricks.

From Barron's

But the onslaught of news landed “like a ton of bricks” in the frustrated community.

From Los Angeles Times

Reading her words, remorse hits like a ton of bricks.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms White told the newspaper she had received the news that Mr Mitchell and Justin had died, adding: "It's like a ton of bricks just fell on me."

From BBC

As his final pass fell to the turf in Salt Lake City, ending USC’s spotless start in devastating fashion, the realization hit Williams like a ton of bricks.

From Los Angeles Times