low blow

American  

noun

1. (in boxing) an illegal blow below the waist of an opponent.

2. an unfair or unsportsmanlike criticism or attack.

---

low blow Idioms  

1. An unscrupulous attack; an insult. For example, When my roommate moved out without a word of warning, leaving me to pay the entire rent, that was a low blow, or She wanted to win the argument, but bringing up his failed marriage was a low blow. This term alludes to the illegal practice of hitting an opponent in boxing below the belt. [c. 1950]

---

Etymology

Origin of low blow

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

That’s a lie, Soboroff shot back, claiming he was insulted by the low blow.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

It sounds like a low blow, and an odd attack line in a diverse state filled with immigrants and newcomers of all kinds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Considering how the streaming era has already made a big dent in many artists' incomes, Emily Portman says this affair has felt like a "very low blow".

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Dubois will consider himself the top contender and is desperate to have another crack at Usyk after his loss to the Ukrainian in 2023 was marred by a tight call on a low blow.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024

Lorena knows this is a low blow, and looks nervous right after she says it.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez