mazzata

heavy blow

noun maht-TSAH-tah Rare

Also means

hard knock

Usage Note

Mazzata is an augmentative of mazza ('club, mace') and refers to a heavy blow — literal or figurative. Figuratively it describes a severe setback or shock: una mazzata economica ('an economic blow'), è stata una bella mazzata ('it was a real knock'). The tone is colloquial and expressive.

Examples

"La notizia è stata una vera mazzata."

Natural Translation

The news was a real blow.

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