hammer blow

noun

1. a blow from a hammer
2. a severe shock or setback

   Liam's death was a hammer blow

Example Sentences

Anthony Pender, owner of two pubs and a restaurant, told the BBC businesses were "being taxed to death", while the boss of Fuller's pub chain said the National Insurance rise was a "crippling hammer blow" to pubs.

From BBC

He added the specific decision to lower the threshold at which employers will have to pay National Insurance was a "crippling hammer blow" to the sector.

From BBC

Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent described the increase on spirits duty as a “hammer blow”.

From BBC

In Dubai, their first-innings 141 felt like enough without quite dealing a hammer blow.

From BBC

Losing Rodri for any length of time would be a hammer blow for City, but if anyone can come up with a plan to deal with it, Guardiola can.

From BBC