body blow

American  

[bod-ee bloh] / ˈbɒd i ˌbloʊ /

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.

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body blow British  

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

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body blow Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of body blow

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

A brilliant victory against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month inflicted a body blow on the Premier League leaders.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Coming as it did on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, the soaring prices and supply chain delays felt like a body blow.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

But even for people who don’t face a life or death consequence, the hospital’s closure is still a body blow, said Willows Vice Mayor Rick Thomas.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2025

Itoje had to come off early, a body blow, personally and collectively.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

“But nobody takes a body blow from Mulch Diggums and stays on their feet.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer