body blow

[bod-ee bloh]

noun

1. Boxing.,  a blow driven to the opponent's body between the breastbone and the navel.

2. any action that causes severe damage, losses, etc..

   Our business received a body blow in the recession.

body blow

noun

1. Also called: body punch. boxing a blow to the body of an opponent

2. a severe disappointment or setback

   unavailability of funds was a body blow to the project

Word History and Origins

Origin of body blow¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Idioms and Phrases

An action that causes severe damage, as in This last recession dealt a body blow to our whole industry. This term comes from boxing, where since the 18th century it has been used to refer to a punch that is landing between the opponent's chest and navel. [c. 1900]