fell stroke
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And then – boom! – with one fell stroke of an adapter’s arbitrariness, Mr. Kelly altered the play’s ending in a way that crudely shrinks and simplifies its intentions.
From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2010
At this rate, you could efface the whole Decalogue and at one fell stroke destroy all laws, human and divine.
From Explanation of Catholic Morals A Concise, Reasoned, and Popular Exposition of Catholic Morals by Stapleton, John H. (John Henry)
Not even physicians were spared; and those who escaped trembled in anticipation of the fell stroke.
From Beulah by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)
For not, though deep beneath the sod Thou liest, not unrequited nor unsung Shall this fell stroke, from Cypris' rancour sprung, Quell thee, mine own, the saintly and the true!
From Hippolytus/The Bacchae by Euripides
It was not in the way of things that he, who had always had everything, should at one fell stroke be left desolate.
From Old Rose and Silver by Reed, Myrtle
