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

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

James had been so well-behaved that morning it was only logical for her to anticipate that he was about to abolish at one fell stroke all his hard-earned merits.

From The Place of Honeymoons by Keller, Arthur Ignatius

Now, at one fell stroke, his villainy lay exposed.

From Five Thousand Dollars Reward by Pinkerton, A. Frank [pseud.]