come down like a ton of bricks

come down like a ton of bricks

1. To fall or collapse violently and often unexpectedly. We must have been missing some screws when we built the bookshelf because it just came down like a ton of bricks!
2. slang To punish someone swiftly and harshly. When I was caught cheating on a test, the principal came down like a ton of bricks on me.
See also: brick, come, down, like, of, ton
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

come down like a ton of bricks

exert crushing weight, force, or authority against someone. informal
See also: brick, come, down, like, of, ton
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • crash into
  • crash into (someone or something)
  • air rage
  • rage
  • crash through
  • crash through (something)
  • burst forth
  • belch
  • belch out
  • bring crashing down
References in periodicals archive
And last week Lib Dem John Hemming tabled an EDM to come down like a ton of bricks on the BBC for saying "come down like a tonne of bricks".
Cracking the whip
We must come down like a ton of bricks on those who refuse help or who peddle drugs."
LAW AND ORDER CLAMPDOWN: DRUGS: THE NEW WAR; -Dealers targeted -Compulsory tests -More into rehab -Crack dens blitz