hammer blow

British  

noun

1. a blow from a hammer

2. a severe shock or setback

   Liam's death was a hammer blow

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Example Sentences

Such appeal brought a gargantuan signing on fee from the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV organisation and his 2022 departure was a hammer blow for the PGA Tour.

From BBC

But just as David feels he is finally going places, he is dealt a hammer blow from the head of the prize committee.

From The Wall Street Journal

The loss was another hammer blow for Tampa Bay, who have taken just one win from their last seven games to allow Carolina to edge past them in the divisional standings.

From Barron's

It opened the door for the Australia spinner, and Crawley's departure was the hammer blow.

From BBC

Findlay warned that a tax rise would be a "hammer blow to Scots".

From BBC