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

And cinemas took a hammer blow during the pandemic.

From BBC

But then missile attacks began in October, dealing Ukraine a hammer blow.

From Reuters

But the Lib Dems are arguing that bills should be cut, with leader Sir Ed Davey saying further increases would be a "hammer blow" for struggling families.

From BBC

At the point where the first hammer blow is struck the video goes blurred and Yakushchenko falls backwards.

From BBC

That goal put Spurs at ease and they held London City at bay before landing a hammer blow in first-half stoppage time.

From BBC