Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

body blow

 - 3 dictionary results

body blow

 
Use body blow in a Sentence
–noun Boxing.
1. 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.
Origin:
1785–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To body blow
body blow  
n.  

  1. Sports A blow delivered to the front of the torso above the waist in boxing.

  2. A serious setback; a major disappointment.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

body blow

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]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see body blow on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way