dāng​tóu​yí​bàng

a severe blow

Senses

当头一棒/ 當頭一棒 dāng​tóu​yí​bàng (also dāng​tóu​yī​bàng) a severe blow

a blow on the head; a sudden and severe blow or setback that comes as a shock

当头一棒/ 當頭一棒 dāng​tóu​yí​bàng (also dāng​tóu​yī​bàng) a wake-up call

a sharp warning or a sudden realization that helps someone wake up to reality or gain insight; originally a Zen Buddhist practice of striking a student to help them reach enlightenment

References

synonym 迎头棒喝/迎頭棒喝 当头一棒/當頭一棒