hit sb like a ton of bricks

/hˈɪt ˌɛsbˈiː lˈaɪk ɐ tˈʌn ɒv bɹˈɪks/

/hˈɪt ˌɛsbˈiː lˈaɪk ɐ tˈʌn ʌv bɹˈɪks/

to hit sb like a ton of bricks

to experience the sudden, surprising, and overwhelming impact of something, that catches someone off guard and leaves them feeling stunned or overwhelmed