strike a blow
Verb phrase: - To deliver a hit or impact: The literal meaning of physically hitting something. - To harm or damage something, especially an idea, system, or cause: To take an action that weakens, undermines, or adversely affects something non-physical, such as a policy, institution, or movement.
This phrase is most commonly used in its figurative sense to describe an action that causes significant harm or damage to an abstract concept, system, or effort.
Examples: - The new evidence struck a blow to the prosecution's case. (The new evidence significantly weakened the prosecution's case.) - The scandal struck a blow against public trust in the government. (The scandal damaged public trust in the government.) - Activists hope the protest will strike a blow for freedom. (Activists hope the protest will be a powerful action in support of freedom.)
- "strike a blow at/against something": This prepositional structure is used to specify the thing being harmed or undermined.
- The investigative report struck a blow at the corporation's reputation.
- "strike a blow for something": This structure indicates an action taken in support of a cause, principle, or group. It means to deliver a hit something, thereby advancing it.
- The law struck a blow for equality by banning discrimination.
- Deal a blow: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "strike a blow."
- The economic sanctions dealt a severe blow to the regime.
- Blow (noun): A hard hit; a sudden shock or disaster.
- Strike (verb): To hit; to attack; to discover.
- Undermine: To weaken or damage gradually.
- Weaken: To make less strong or powerful.
- Damage: To have a harmful effect on.
- Hit hard: To affect very negatively.
- Strike a chord: To evoke an emotional response (different meaning).
- Strike a balance: To find a good compromise (different meaning).
- Strike a deal: To make an agreement (different meaning).
- A blow to something/someone: Something that causes damage or disappointment.
- Losing the funding was a major blow to the research project.
- Strike while the iron is hot: To act at the most opportune moment (different meaning).
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affect adversely
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The court ruling struck a blow at the old segregation laws
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