to hit like a lightning bolt

Examples

• All

• The news hit like a lightning bolt!

• When Jane heard the diagnosis, the news hit like a lightning bolt and left her speechless.

• The announcement hit like a lightning bolt, and nobody knew how to react.

• Her words hit like a lightning bolt during the meeting.

• The unexpected news hit like a lightning bolt, leaving everyone in shock.

• When she heard the results of the test, it hit like a lightning bolt.

• The sudden change in their plans hit like a lightning bolt, catching them off guard.

Synonyms

H

to hit

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

∞ 2.8

To suddenly make someone feel a strong emotion

is sudden and powerful but often stresses shock and surprise specifically

R

to rock

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

107 4.4

To cause a sudden strong shock or upset to people

is sudden and powerful but stresses immediate shocking surprise more than disturbance

P

to pierce

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

28 4.6

To cause a sudden strong feeling in someone

is sudden and powerful but focuses more on external shock than inner piercing

S

to stun

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

11 3.0

To surprise someone so much they cannot react for a short time

is sudden and powerful but highlights emotional surprise rather than lasting harm

S

to shock the hell out of someone

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Informal

2 8.1

To surprise someone suddenly and very strongly

is sudden and powerful but may use less informal or coarse language

K

to knock flat

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

1 7.4

To surprise someone very much so they cannot react

is sudden impact causing shock rather than a long lasting state

B

to burst upon

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

1 6.1

Suddenly appear in a place or in someone's mind and surprise people

is sudden and powerful but chiefly describes strong personal effect rather than arrival

K

to knock over with a feather

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Informal

1 8.8

To be so surprised that you almost cannot react

is similarly sudden but often implies stronger or more violent impact

H

to hit like a ton of bricks

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Informal

1 8.0

To feel a sudden strong shock or surprise

is sudden and powerful but stresses shocking surprise rather than physical force

H

to hit like a tidal wave

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

7.3

To suddenly feel a very strong emotion that you cannot control

is sudden and powerful but focuses on sharp shock or surprise

K

to knock into the middle of next week

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Informal

9.9

To hit or shock someone so they feel dazed

is sudden and powerful but can emphasize surprise over physical daze

K

to knock the living daylights out of

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Offensive

9.9

To hit someone very hard or to shock someone very much

is sudden and powerful but usually without the violent physical beating sense

S

to shoot someone's face off

vsto hit like a lightning bolt

• Offensive

9.9

To surprise someone very strongly, often in a funny way

is sudden and powerful but tends to be literal shock rather than playful exaggeration

Antonyms

C

to calm

962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

C

to comfort

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

How Sudden

to stun

11 3.0

to stagger

7 3.8

to hit like a lightning bolt

8.2

to startle

131 3.7

to surprise

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology