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

See Examples For:

low blow

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

"It feels amazing. I whooped that boy in his back yard," Londoner TKV, who was deducted a point for a low blow, said.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 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

Former President Trump, on the other hand, appeared to chuckle at the low blow.

From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2024

It was a punch in the gut, a low blow.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins