hammer blow

noun

1. a blow from a hammer

2. a severe shock or setback

   Liam's death was a hammer blow

Example Sentences

Spurs believe they did all they could to conclude a deal - apart from actually concluding it - but it is a hammer blow to chairman Daniel Levy and manager Thomas Frank, who also thought they had a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White in the bag only for him to sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

From BBC

"It is a hammer blow for India. The atmosphere would have been unbelievable for India tonight. They were so on top, the only way England could get a run away was a leg-bye."

From BBC

For the Scottish Liberal Democrats, west of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said it was "another hammer blow" for islanders and demanded an urgent statement to parliament.

From BBC

Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber called the issue a "hammer blow" for passengers.

From BBC

McGrath dropped a difficult chance with Dunkley on 22 after the first rain delay which suggested that the luck could be swinging England's way, but seamer Megan Schutt delivered the hammer blow in the 13th over to remove her and Wyatt-Hodge.

From BBC