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 calledbody 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]

Example Sentences

For many Latin America watchers, the fall of this entrepreneurial wunderkind was a body blow to Brazil itself.

From The Daily Beast

The Saudis hope the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad will deal a body blow to Iran and Hezbollah.

From The Daily Beast

If Israel is willing to think outside the box, it can deal Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Hizbullah a body blow without firing a shot.

From The Daily Beast

Every month, it seemed as if News International was being hit by a fresh body-blow.

From The Daily Beast

Then they threatened to review the billion-dollar U.S. aid package to Egypt, a real body blow to Mubarak and the military.

From The Daily Beast

This in his own paper over his own signature was a body blow; but it had the effect of curing his cold.

From Project Gutenberg

Frank avoided the rush by stepping aside, and gave the fellow another body blow as he passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Frank was watching for that left hand body blow, and it came at last, just when Bascomb thought it must count.

From Project Gutenberg

He pursued his man with savage determination, and seemed resolved to get in a deadly body-blow that would end the fight.

From Project Gutenberg

Suspicion was pounding at him like a body blow that is repeated accurately and relentlessly in the same vulnerable spot.

From Project Gutenberg