like a ton of bricks

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]

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.

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

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

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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."

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Streeting said: "This bill will come down on the vaping industry like a ton of bricks to prevent a new generation of children and young people from getting hooked on nicotine."

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