body blow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, business.
Quick answer
What does “body blow” mean?
A severe setback or piece of very bad news that shocks and demoralizes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A severe setback or piece of very bad news that shocks and demoralizes.
An event, discovery, or action that causes significant damage to plans, morale, finances, or reputation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British journalism and political commentary, but widely understood and used in American English.
Connotations
Connotes a strategic, calculated, or unexpected setback rather than a random misfortune.
Frequency
Medium frequency in news/political analysis; low in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “body blow” in a Sentence
[Subject] dealt/suffered a body blow to [Object].The [event/news] was a body blow to [entity/plans].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body blow” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The minister's resignation was a body blow to the Prime Minister's authority.
- The factory closure dealt a body blow to the local economy.
American English
- The court ruling was a body blow to the company's legal strategy.
- Losing the championship game was a body blow for the team's morale.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The sudden loss of their biggest client was a body blow to the startup's expansion plans.
Academic
The discovery of falsified data dealt a body blow to the credibility of the entire research programme.
Everyday
Failing her driving test for the third time was a real body blow to her confidence.
Technical
The engine failure during the final qualifying session dealt a body blow to the team's chances for the race.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body blow”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body blow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body blow”
- Using it for minor inconveniences (e.g., 'The rain was a body blow to our picnic').
- Confusing it with 'low blow' (which is unfair/dirty). A body blow is severe but not necessarily unfair.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's rare outside of boxing/combat sports commentary. The figurative meaning is dominant in general use.
'Body blow' is a stronger, more dramatic synonym for a severe 'setback'. It emphasises the shock and demoralising impact.
It is more formal and is most commonly found in written news, analysis, and business reports. It sounds out of place in very casual chat.
No. It exclusively describes negative, damaging events or news.
A severe setback or piece of very bad news that shocks and demoralizes.
Body blow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi bləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi bloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A kick in the teeth”
- “A bolt from the blue”
- “A slap in the face”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a boxer taking a powerful punch to the stomach (the body)—it winds them, stops them in their tracks. A 'body blow' in life does the same to plans or morale.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADVERSITY IS PHYSICAL COMBAT / SETBACKS ARE PHYSICAL BLOWS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'body blow' LEAST appropriate?