The phrase "awkward blow" typically refers to a hit or impact that is both physically clumsy and emotionally uncomfortable. It can describe an event where a situation becomes embarrassing or a moment where someone is caught off guard, leading to an uncomfortable or unfortunate outcome. While not exceedingly common, the phrase can appear in both oral and written contexts, often in discussions surrounding sports, interpersonal conflicts, or moments of social discomfort.
The phrase is not exceptionally frequent and may appear more in written contexts, especially in literary, dramatic, or analytical texts discussing moments of tension or conflict.
The boxer delivered an awkward blow to his opponent that left everyone in the crowd shocked.
Боксер нанес неудобный удар своему противнику, который оставил всех в толпе в шоке.
Her compliment was an awkward blow that caught me off guard during the meeting.
Её комплимент был неудобным ударом, который застал меня врасплох во время собрания.
The awkward blow of silence after his announcement made everyone uncomfortable.
Неудобный удар тишины после его объявления заставил всех чувствовать себя неловко.
Although "awkward blow" is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions, it can evoke various scenarios and thoughts in similar contexts. Here are some related idiomatic expressions incorporating the ideas of 'awkwardness' and 'blow' in broader usages.
"Hit below the belt" - To say or do something unfair or cruel.
His comment about her past was a hit below the belt.
Его комментарий о её прошлом был ударом ниже пояса.
"Take a hit" - To suffer from a setback or loss.
The company's profits took a hit after the scandal broke.
Прибыль компании понесла удар после того, как разразился скандал.
"Blow it out of proportion" - To exaggerate a situation or impact.
You need to stop blowing this out of proportion; it was just a minor issue.
Тебе нужно перестать утрировать это; это была всего лишь небольшая проблема.
"Take a hard blow" - To experience a significant loss or hardship.
After the layoffs, the team took a hard blow to their morale.
После сокращений команда понесла серьезный удар по своему моральному духу.
The term "awkward" derives from the Old Scandinavian word "awkward," which means "backward, in the wrong direction." "Blow" comes from the Old English "blāwan," which means "to breath, to blow." When combined, "awkward blow" evokes an image of a clumsy or uncomfortable impact, whether physical or metaphorical.