deal (someone or something) a blow
(redirected from dealt him a blow)deal (someone or something) a blow
To adversely effect or detract from someone or something. Getting a bad grade in my favorite subject really dealt my self-confidence a blow. Despite the company's recent success, the massive recall dealt it quite a blow.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
deal somebody/something a ˈblow
,deal a blow to somebody/something
be a shock for somebody; make something fail, etc: The death of her father dealt her a terrible blow. ♢ Losing his job dealt a blow to his hopes of buying his own house.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017