Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Existential"

A: To "take that hard blow" is often used to describe taking some bad news, some information which feels difficult to accept. Sometimes these things can feel similar to the shock or pain of being hit physically (like taking a blow or a punch). So that is where the metaphor comes from.

And "existential" means that the news/information that is difficult to accept might be related to an existential topic: like their own sense of self, how they see themselves, how they view the world, their own existence, what is the meaning of life, what is their purpose, how should they live their life, etc.

So they are probably talking about some idea or information that is difficult to accept, about the meaning of life or their own purpose or how they see themselves or their self-identity or beliefs about themselves, etc. Things like that.

A: I'm going to guess, since I don't have the full passage/page 😅.

"Taking a blow" sounds like taking/receiving a hit/punch/kick/etc.

An "existential blow" is something the writer made up; it is not an actual saying. However, the author is using the adjective "existential" to say the "blow" was emotional and mental, not physical.

"Existentialism" is about how people are free to make their own choices and impact their development. This causes people to question their meaning and purpose in life, making them anxious and causing an "existential crisis". (I simplified the Google definition so please look at the German Wikipedia page 😅: https://als.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existenzialismus )

For example: Alex realized his 15-year career as a salesman was for nothing, and the existential blow hit him hard.

A: @vinnyvincent Accepted a fact about life that is difficult to accept

A: I'm not exactly sure. "grilling" here means they are being interviewed or questioned in an intense way. Usually I have heard "existential" in the phrase "existential threat," which means that it is a threat that could harm your existence (e.g. maybe a disease outbreak is an existential threat to a nation). So if "existential" has the same meaning here then it really just emphasizes how strong the grilling is.

A: yes, sounds good.

A: × 1. I am having an existential crisis.
✓ 1. I’m having an existential crisis.

× 2. I am having a reality check.
✓ 2. I just got a reality check.

I’m having a reality check is fine too, i just hear more people say “i just got a reality check” like something happened to them that they don’t like.

A: “He was in the middle of an existential crisis.”

“The woman was experiencing an existential crisis.”

It means that a person is doubting or dreading the choices they have made.

A: Natural and I wish you the best of luck! Stay strong!

A: Existentialism is a philosophy that tries to find the meaning of existing. Existential humor is type of comedy that revolves around inevitable death and meaningless in life. It doesn't sound like it would be funny, but it's called "dark humor."