Body blow Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɑdi/ /ˈbɫoʊ

BAH-dee bloh

UK

bˈɒdi/ /blˈəʊ

BOD-ee BLOH

Definition

A powerful hit to the body, especially in boxing. Figuratively, it means a big disappointment or setback that is hard to recover from.

Usage & Nuances

Used literally in sports like boxing, but more commonly in business, news, or emotional contexts to mean a major setback or cruel disappointment. Phrases: 'a real body blow', 'delivered a body blow'. Not usually casual speech.

• Spanish: golpe al cuerpo - golpe duro (figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): golpe no corpo - golpe duro (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): golpe no corpo - golpe forte (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 重击 - 严重打击（比喻）
• Chinese (Traditional): 重擊 - 嚴重打擊（比喻）
• Hindi: कड़ा प्रहार - बड़ा झटका (रूपक)
• Arabic: ضربة موجعة - ضربة قوية (مجازي)
• Bengali: শরীরে আঘাত - গভীর ধাক্কা
• Russian: удар по корпусу - сокрушительный удар
• Japanese: ボディブロー - 大きな打撃
• Vietnamese: đòn vào thân - cú sốc lớn
• Korean: 몸통 가격 - 큰 충격
• Turkish: gövde darbesi - büyük darbe
• Urdu: جسم پر ضرب - بہت بڑا دھچکا
• Indonesian: pukulan ke tubuh - pukulan berat

Example Sentences

The boxer took a body blow in the third round.

basic

Losing his job was a body blow to his confidence.

basic

The new tax was a body blow to small businesses.

basic

That news came as a real body blow to our team.

natural

The sudden price increase delivered a body blow to the market.

natural

When he heard the company was closing, it was a body blow he didn’t see coming.

natural